Pulupandan town, known for election-related incidents in previous years, may be stricken out from the list of election areas of concern in Negros Occidental, if the prevailing peaceful atmosphere there continues, Senior Supt. Mliko Lirazan, provincial police director, said yesterday.

Lirazan, however, also said that they have yet to start validation of areas of concern in Negros Occidental.

Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Pena survived and ambush days before the May 2007 elections. Three years after, former Pulupandan Mayor Luis Mondia was assassinated in Jaro,Iloilo, police records show.

Lirazan said they have observed that Pulupandan is now peaceful.

Miguel Peña, son of Mayor Pena, is running unopposed for mayor of Pulupandan next year.

Lirazan said they will include barangays in Negros Occidental with reported presence of armed rebels, history of election-related incidents, among others.

About 10 alleged followers of a politician in Escalante were assassinated by “rebels” in 2007 and 2010 elections, police records show.

As part of its security preparation for the next year election, the PNP is also maximizing its campaign against loose firearms and for renewal of expired gun licenses. *GPB

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