Comelec, PNP check 10 Abra towns for poll violence, rivalry

 By Liza Agoot

 

BAGUIO CITY – The Commission on Elections - Cordillera Administrative Region and police are closely monitoring Abra, historically an area of concern during elections.

Nine towns in Abra have been placed under yellow category while one is under orange category.

A yellow category means historical record of intense political rivalry while an orange category also has intense political rivalry and possible threats due to the presence of communist terrorist groups.

“We are looking into it together with the law enforcement agencies to prevent escalation of political rivalries,” Comelec-CAR Assistant Director Vanessa Roncal said Monday.

Comelec has teamed-up with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police in monitoring yellow towns Bangued, Dolores, Lagangilang, Licuan Baay, Malibcong, Penarrubia, Pidigan, Pilar and Tayum; and lone orange town Bucay.

Lubuagan in the province of Kalinga is also under the yellow category.

“Binabantayan natin (We are watching it) and if there is a need to deploy more law enforcement agents to prevent problems, then we will do it,” she said.

Police Regional Office-Cordillera chief Brig. Gen. David Peredo said in an interview that “in the past election, we had dialogues with opposing political parties for possible understanding."

He said there will also be peace covenants and law enforcement operations as possible measures, along with continuous monitoring of private armed groups.

“There used to be nine groups (but) now we (only) have four. But we continue to monitor them even if they have been dismantled. Right now, we do not see any actions from them but we do not know in the coming days so we have to be on guard,” he said. -- PNA