More Areas May Be Placed Under Comelec Red Category

With only two weeks to go before the midterm elections on May 12, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not discounting the possibility of more "areas of concern" falling into the red category.

- By MAYEN JAYMALIN

"It's possible that areas under red category will increase, coming from those under orange," Comelec Chairman George Garcia told reporters in Filipino.

He said the purpose of classifying areas for the elections is to ensure proper and more balanced deployment of security forces.

Areas under the red category are those with a history of election-related violence, intense political rivalry and threats from rebel groups.

The Philippine National Police earlier reported 34 areas in the country under the red category.

Garcia said cases of election-related violence remain relatively low compared to previous elections in 2019 and 2022. It's a situation he attributed to intensified operations by the police and the military.

Col. Randulf Tuano, PNP public information officer, said they have documented 35 validated election-related incidents. The PNP has so far documented 13 election violence-related fatalities.

Garcia said he also sees the number of disqualification cases being filed against candidates to triple or even quadruple as election day approaches, largely due to vote buying.

He said the fact that the Comelec is being barraged with complaints from citizens about poll violations is an indication of the public's trust in the poll body.

"This is a symbol of the trust of the different sectors in society in the Comelec. They believe the Comelec is always ready to act on their complaints," he said.