ILOILO – From 88, the number of “election watch list areas” (EWAS) in this province dropped to 28, announced the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
A Provincial Joint Security Center Command (PJSCC) meeting yesterday morning at Casa Real de Iloilo (old provincial capitol) determined the new figures.
The PJSCC was composed of Comelec-Iloilo, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) and Philippine Army.
According to Comelec-Iloilo supervisor Elizabeth Doronila, a considerable number of barangays previously identified as EWAS did not anymore have presence of the New People’s Army.
“Based on the recent monitoring of the police and military, the rebels in these barangays have left,” said Doronila.
The synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections are on May 14.
EWAS barangays are categorized into three. Category 1 villages are those with a history of election-related violent incidents and with intense political rivalries. Category 2 villages are those with internal security (insurgency) problems. Category 3 villages are those having the concerns present in both categories 1 and 2.
According to Doronila, of the updated 28 EWAS villages, 10 were under Category 2; 15 under Category 1; and three under Category 3.
The 28 EWAS villages were from the first, second, third, and fourth districts, said Doronila.
Doronila said these barangays would be posted with additional policemen and soldiers.
The election campaign period is from May 4 to May 12.
Iloilo province has a total of 1,721 barangays scattered in 42 municipalities and one component city (Passi)./PN
