Election period starts
ONLY 30 AREAS OF
CONCERN, ARMY SAYS
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The election period for the October 28 barangay polls kicks off today with the enforcement of a 45-day gun ban and eight other prohibitions.

The Commission on Elections is set to hold a Negros Occidental Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center meeting with the army and the police at the Capitol in Bacolod City today to finalize security measures and to validate of poll watchlist areas, Provincial Election Supervisor Jessie Suarez said yesterday.

At a Western Visayas  JPSCC meet  in Iloilo Thursday, it was reported that the army has tagged 92 barangays and the police has identified 300 barangays as areas of concern in Negros Occidental, he said.

Gunban checkpoints up
BY SHIELA GELERA

Simultaneous checkpoints are being conducted in Bacolod City with the implementation of the gun ban starting today, Senior Supt. Edgardo Ordaniel, acting city director of the Bacolod City Police Office, said yesterday.

Police personnel manning the checkpoints are only limited to the “plain view” doctrine, he however, said.

Policemen, who should be in complete uniform, must approach the drivers with courtesy.

Be transparent, governor
challenges PCL members
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday challenged the members of the Philippine Councilors League, as well as all other public servants, to stand up for the call to be transparent and vigorous in achieving what is best for their people whom they have pledged to serve.

The Governor’s message was read by Board Member Alain Gatuslao during the fellowship dinner and closing program of the Third Quarterly National Executive Officers and National Board Meeting at the Bacolod Pavillion Hotel and Resort in Bacolod City last night.

With issues of graft and corruption, government officials might be faced with the challenge of proving that they are here for the service of their fellowmen, not for the attainment of personal ambitions, Marañon said.