PREPARED. Brig. Gen. David Peredo, Police Regional Office-Cordillera regional director, bares Monday (Sept. 11, 2023) that they are closely monitoring 13 villages placed under the “yellow” category for next month’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections due to intense political rivalry. Ten are in Abra and three are in Kalinga province. (PNA photo by Liza Agoot)
BAGUIO CITY – The Police Regional Office – Cordillera Region (PROCOR) is keeping an eye on 13 villages which have been placed under the “yellow” alert category in connection with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Oct. 30.
In an interview Monday, Brig. Gen. David Peredo, PROCOR regional director, described the yellow category as having the presence of “intense political rivalry.”
Ten are in Abra province while three are in Kalinga.
“We already know who filed and who are vying against each other which determined the categories of the barangays. Although there is intense political rivalry, we can still say that no election-related violence has happened so far,” Peredo said.
He added that plans are underway for the deployment of additional forces in the specified areas to prevent possible escalation of violence during the election period.
Peredo assured the Philippine National Police’s preparedness by continually assessing and adjusting to the situation in every place.
He noted that there are no areas of concern in the region as far as the communist rebel groups are concerned as they have weakened due to continuous military and police operations.
For political groups, Peredo said they have pulled out the police escorts and bodyguards of politicians.
“They should follow the Comelec rules on availing of bodyguards. We remove the detail of policemen from those who did not get a certificate of authority from Comelec, but some are applying to avail,” he said.
Gun ban violation
Since the election gun ban implementation on Aug. 28, Peredo said they have recorded only one violation in Natonin town, Mountain Province, arrested in a checkpoint operation.
“It is better if people have no firearms in their possession because during election, people are usually hot-headed and if their firearm is within reach, they might not control their temper and commit crimes,” said Chief M/Sgt. Jeremy Chamollog, PROCOR firearms and explosives division chief. (PNA)
