The Philippine National Police and Army has set up contingency plans to address security concerns in Negros Occidental with the starts as the campaign period for local candidates today.

Brig. Gen. Gregorio Fajardo, commanding general of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, yesterday said they have a standby contingency force to be dispatched to areas under serious threat by armed groups, if requested by the Commission on Election.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, said they already have a campaign plan for the May 14 elections.

Officials are asking the candidates to help ensure that the May 14 election will be orderly and peaceful in Negros Occidental.

Pulupandan town has been classified by the police as an "area of concern" in Negros Occidental, because of reported sightings of armed men and intense political rivalries.

Businessman-lawyer Magdaleno Peña and Samson Mondia, brother of Mayor Luis Mondia, are contesting the Pulupandan mayoralty position.

Police commanders have been ordered to upgrade their alert and increase their vigilance for situations that may lead to an outbreak of election-related violence.

The Comelec and police will hold the signing of peace covenants among candidates in the hotly-contested areas of Negros Occidental, starting next month.

Fajardo said he expects that the New People's Army to send emissaries to local candidates, for the permit-to-campaign fees being required from them if they enter the so-called guerilla zone.

He stressed that there is no such thing as "rebel-controlled areas" in Negros.

"Just coordinate with us and we will do the rest", Fajardo said, apparently referring to candidates being harassed by insurgents.

Franco said he is also waiting for approval from the Comelec for the downloading of police troopers from the 6th Regional Mobile Group, to be sent to undermanned police stations in Negros Occidental.

The Negros Occidental is set to receive 84 new policemen from the 6th RMG.*GPB

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