ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Western Visayas is not letting its guard down despite the absence of any area under the highest election-related threat level or “red category” ahead of the May 12 midterm elections.
As of Comelec’s updated list on March 19, no city or municipality in the region has been classified as a red category area, which indicates critical concern due to a combination of violent incidents, intense political rivalry, and serious threats from armed groups. Areas placed under this category may be subjected to Comelec control and direct intervention by security forces.
Instead, Iloilo City and 89 other localities fall under the “green category,” denoting areas with no significant security threats and a relatively peaceful electoral environment.
Five municipalities were placed under the “yellow category” or moderate risk due to previous election-related incidents (ERIs), intense political competition, possible use of private armed groups (PAGs), or past placements under Comelec control.
Meanwhile, six municipalities were categorized as “orange” or high-risk areas, which means the presence of multiple yellow-category factors compounded by armed threats from communist terrorist groups (CTGs) or other lawless elements. These areas may see increased police or military deployment and possible reshuffling of local police units.
“We are not lowering our guards, especially in coordination with our deputized law enforcement partners — the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Coast Guard,” said Comelec Region 6 director Atty. Dennis Ausan.
Ausan said coordination efforts are ongoing, including small group meetings and preparations for the upcoming Regional Joint Security Control Council (RJSCC) meeting in the coming days. The meeting will consolidate the proposed security plans submitted by the Provincial JSCCs based on consultations with their municipal and city counterparts.
“Once they present the plans, we’ll review them at the RJSCC level. Hopefully by Holy Week or even earlier, we can finalize the regional security plan — and ideally, also the final deployment plan,” he added.
However, Ausan clarified that they cannot finalize the deployment plan without first receiving the automated counting machines (ACMs), ballots, and other election paraphernalia.
“We hope to finalize everything by mid-April so we can map out security arrangements properly and ensure all stakeholders are informed for a smooth and orderly operation,” he said.
The Western Visayas region — comprising the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo — has a total of 3,128,562 registered voters distributed as follows:
* Aklan – 414,890
* Antique – 399,553
* Capiz – 539,553
* Guimaras – 124,930
* Iloilo – 1,649,730
The region also comprises 3,389 barangays, 20,077 established precincts, and 2,854 voting centers./PN