The police named 33 possible “election watch list areas” in Central Visayas, 15 of them in Negros Oriental, where violence could erupt during the 2013 midterm polls.

Supt. Paul Labra II, chief of the Police Regional Office 7 Intelligence Division, said that areas being closely watched in Oriental Negros are Bayawan, Canlaon, Tanjay, Jimalalud, Bacong, Basay, La Libertad, Zamboanguita, Villahermoso, Guihulngan City, Bindoy, Pamplona, Sibulan, Valencia and Siaton.

In Cebu, the “hot” areas are Sogod, Barili, San Fernando, Daanbantayan, Tuburan, Ronda, Pinamungajan, Tbogon, Dumanjug, Sta. Fe, Lapu-Lapu City, Bogo City, Danao City and Cacar City.

The areas of Trinidad, Carmen and Tagbilaran in Bohol, and Larena in Siquijor also made it to the watch list, Labra said.

A history of election-related violence, intense partisan rivalry and presence of organized crime groups were among the reasons these areas were listed, he added.

Labra said these towns and cities are being evaluated as possible “election areas of concern” and the police said they also continue to monitor insurgent movements in Negros Oriental.

Meanwhile, 10 potential private armed groups with close to 100 members operating in Central Visayas are being monitored by the police.

These were identified as the Sumabong-Ancero, Omboy-Sanpao, Sigue, and Sidlak groups.

PRO 7 director Marcelo Garbo Jr. said the groups were reportedly used before by some politicians, and could disrupt electoral proceedings, or create tension, anew.

“Right now, we have not listed any private armed group because they are inactive, have been neutralized, or arrested,” he said.

Garbo said they have the names of the groups’ supporters and held a dialogue with them late last year. “I have talked with opposing parties and told them to play within the rules of the game. No guns and goons.”

Once the election period begins on January 13, police officers who have been detailed as escorts of elected government officials will be pulled out, Commission on Election 7 director, Temie Lambino, said.

Lambino, however, said any candidates running for local executive positions can avail themselves of private protective agents accredited by the PNP, depending on a threat assessment.

“They must apply before Jan. 13 to be given temporary security detail,” he said.

A maximum of two private personnel will be afforded to a candidate, and they can use only a 12-gauge shotgun and a 9mm pistol.

The gun ban is provided for under Comelec Resolution 9561-A, that states that “No person shall bear, carry of transport firearms, or other deadly weapons outside his residence, or place of business, and in public places, except for members of PNP, AFP and agents performing security functions”.

Policemen will be relieved and assigned to other units if any member of their family, or relatives, are running for office in the area where they are assigned.

As of October 2012, there were 562,000 un-renewed gun licenses in the country.

Central Visayas has a total of 4,114,061 registered voters, or three percent more compared to the previous election.*PNA

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