GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Police Regional Office in Soccsksargen (PRO-12) has placed 45 municipalities and four cities under the “election areas of concern” in connection with the upcoming May 9 local and national polls.
Lt. Col. Maria Joyce Birrey, PRO-12 spokesperson, said Monday that of the total hotspots, seven are placed under the red category or areas of grave concern.
“Twenty-five other areas are placed under the orange category or immediate concern where there is a serious armed threat, while four areas are under category yellow or have a history of election-related incidents in the past elections and possible presence of partisan armed groups,” Birrey said.
Meanwhile, 13 areas in the region are placed under the green category or areas that do not have security concerns, and are generally peaceful and orderly.
Birrey said the Philippine National Police was earlier tasked by the Department of the Interior and Local Government to identify election hotspots to ensure orderly and peaceful polls.
Soccsksargen has 2,606,492 registered voters under the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani; and the cities of Koronadal, Kidapawan, Tacurong, and General Santos. (PNA)
