7 MManila cities eyed by police as poll hot spots

(Updated 7:10 PM) Seven of Metro Manila’s 17 cities were identified as possible election hot spots because of tough competition among local candidates, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief said. Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Taguig, Makati, Pasay, Manila, and Quezon cities “are hotly contested areas," NCRPO head Director Roberto Rosales said. "So far these are the areas where competitions are tight," Rosales added in Filipino when he was interviewed by reporters at the National Police headquarters in Camp Crame. The police took account the seven cities’ election histories and their candidates for mayor, vice-mayor, congressman, and councilor. [Please click here for the list of candidates in Metro Manila.] Rosales added that his office is already mapping out the operations to avert possible election-related violent incidents in the seven cities. He also said the NCRPO might also recommend that the cities be placed under the Commission on Elections’ control. Earlier this year, the Philippine National Police named the provinces of Abra, Nueva Ecija, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Norte as election hot spots for the May 10 polls. Military hikes troop deployment in areas of concern In the meantime, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has assigned troops to more than 500 election areas of concern, including Masbate, Lanao provinces, and Sulu. The move intends to ensure peaceful and credible elections in the estimated 571 cities and municipalities, AFP deputy chief of staff for operations Maj. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan said in a phone interview. Pangilinan is referring to areas of concern which have “histories of violence" during elections. Troop numbers have also been increased in Masbate, Basilan, and Abra, said Pangilinan, who is the concurrent deputy commander of the AFP’s Task Force Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections. “In Central Mindanao, there is an ongoing re-alignment of forces there," he added, without citing any figures. Central Mindanao is where Maguindanao province is located. The province is the site of the November 23 Maguindanao massacre, which was reportedly perpetrated by members of the powerful Ampatuan clan. Fifty-seven people, mostly journalists, died in the atrocity. Despite increased troop deployment, Pangilinan recognized that the situation in Central Mindanao and other southern islands is complicated because of the presence of terrorist elements, rogue secessionist rebels, and private armed groups. “We are addressing it now to avert any violence or ERVIs, election-related violent incidents," he said, referring to the deployments. “Our top agenda is the election. We want this to be credible. It’s on our top agenda – ensure a credible election," he added. - with Sophia Regina M. Dedace, RSJ, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV