Provincial Election Supervisor Eddie Aba said there is still no election watchlist of areas (EWAS) in Negros Oriental that will be under close security and monitoring, in line with the May 9, 2016 presidential and national elections.

He said he is depending on the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army in the province to make their recommendations on which areas shall be included in the watchlist.

He said he will officially convene the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council at the start of the election period on January 10, 2016.

But, this does not stop the PNP and the Army from making prior coordination as to possible areas in Negros Oriental to be included in the election watchlist.

Some parameters for the inclusion of watchlist of areas include previous history of election-related violent incident, hotly contested political positions, and the presence of armed/threat groups, among others.

Aba said he believes that the 2016 polls in Negros Oriental will be relatively peaceful and orderly, although it is still early to say whether he will still be assigned here or transferred elsewhere, like in the 2013 elections, when he was moved to Cebu.

Meanwhile, provincial police director, Senior Supt. Dionard Carlos, said yesterday the JPSCC meeting in the coming weeks will tackle the election watchlist of areas in Negros Oriental.

He explained that the military and the police have individual parameters for the recommendation of such areas but these will be consolidated afterwards and the JPSCC, under Comelec authority, will have a joint classification of areas of security concern.

The months of November and December will be devoted to activities preparatory to the election period, said Carlos.

He also disclosed that the shooting to death of a former official of Guihulngan City, Jaime “Popy” Mimis, who was set to file his certificate of candidacy, is still being investigated.

Mimis was shot dead by unknown assailants Thursday evening. He was to file his COC for councilor Friday, under the lineup of former 1st district Rep. Jacinto Paras, who is making a comeback.

Carlos said that based on evidence gathered, there are no indicators, so far, that the death of Mimis was politically motivated or election-related.*JFP

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