14 areas in C. Luzon under close watch for May polls
ANGELES CITY—Authorities have identified 14 election areas of concern in Central Luzon, with San Antonio town in Nueva Ecija province receiving particular attention due to its classification under the orange category, signifying serious threats, according to Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, the new regional police director.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) classifies areas of concern based on several factors, including incidents of poll-related violence in the last two elections, intense political rivalries, the potential use of private armed groups or politically motivated killings.
San Antonio was flagged in the initial list released by the Regional Joint Security Control Center following notable incidents, such as the killing of Councilor Roberto Carpio in 2024 and a candidate for councilor in 2018.
Police also reviewed a supposed assassination plot targeting Mayor Arvin Salonga in 2017, further heightening concerns about the town, an Inquirer check revealed.
Fajardo, who last served as spokesperson for the Philippine National Police, said nine towns and four cities in the region have been classified under the “yellow” category, indicating a history of election-related incidents.
These are Baler town in Aurora province; Mariveles town in Bataan province; City of Meycauayan and San Miguel town in Bulacan province; and the cities of Cabanatuan and Gapan and the towns of Aliaga, Cabiao, Jaen, Lupao and San Leonardo in Nueva Ecija.
Private army
In Pampanga, the City of San Fernando and Arayat town were also included in the list. According to news reports, four village chiefs and a municipal councilor were killed in the province’s third district.
Fajardo disclosed that one private armed group had been verified as active in Central Luzon.
“The police are working to dismantle it,” she said during a briefing here on Tuesday.
“We are addressing the risk factors. Police visibility has been increased, and we’ve reviewed daily deployment, aligning it with incidents to prevent crimes or ensure their resolution,” she told reporters.
Nonpartisan
Fajardo noted that the 13,000-strong police force in Central Luzon had been ordered to remain nonpartisan and nonpolitical for the May 12 national and local elections.
Nationwide, a total of 1,681 police officers have been relieved from their posts due to having relatives running for public office. Additionally, around 100 law enforcers were relieved for maintaining close associations with retired military and police officers seeking elective positions.
