ILOILO – In this province, the municipality of Calinog is deemed an “area of grave concern” vis-à-vis the upcoming May 2022 elections.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) came up with this assessment together with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Philippine National Police (PNP), among other concerned agencies.
Under the color coding scheme of the Comelec in the classification of areas of concern, Calinog is in the “red” category, according to Police Colonel Adrian Acollador, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).
“Calinog is in the red category because of the presence of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels there and election-related incidents in the town years ago,” Acollador Panay News.
Since 2019, Comelec has been using color coding in classifying election hotspots. These are green, yellow, orange, and red:
* Green – areas that do not have security concerns and are generally peaceful and orderly
* Yellow – areas of concern; these areas have histories of election-related incidents in the last two elections and intense political rivalry; these areas were previously placed under Comelec control.
* Orange – areas of immediate concern; there is serious armed threat posed by the NPA, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), and other lawless elements.
* Red – areas of grave concern; they exhibit combined factors under the yellow and orange categories that may warrant a motu proprio (on its own) declaration of Comelec control.
Calinog police chief, Police Major Dadjie Delima confirmed the presence of NPA in his turf and election-related incidents in the past that the rebels were supposedly behind.
Just this Jan. 9, the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army had an encounter with some 15 rebels in Barangay Marandig, Calinog. There were no casualties./PN
