Bacolod City – The number of election areas of concern in Negros Occidental rose to 19 after the highly-urbanized Bacolod City was added to the list by the Commission on Elections, as recommended by the Joint Provincial Security and Coordinating Center
Provincial Election supervisor Roberto Salazar said that Bacolod City was placed under Yellow Category because of intense political rivalries.
There were 18 other towns and cities in the province identified earlier by the Comelec as election areas of concern during the May 9 elections.
The city of Himamaylan in Negros Occidental, remains under the Orange category despite the series of encounters between government forces and the New People’s Army on March 25 and 26, and on April 1.
Under the Red Category are Calatrava, Moises Padilla, Candoni and Escalante City due to possible serious armed threats and previous history of election-related violence.
Placed under the Orange Category, aside from Himamaylan City, are the cities of Silay, Victorias, Sipalay and Kabankalan as well as the municipalities of Hinobaan, Cauayan, Binalbagan, Manapla, Ilog, Isabela, La Castellana and Toboso, due to threats from the New People’s Army.
On the other hand, Don Salvador Benedicto was placed under Yellow Category.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, assured Negrenses that the Philippine Army will do its utmost best in making sure that May 9 elections in Negros Occidental will be peaceful and orderly. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds photo by tvds)