PNP submits over 300 possible ‘areas of concern’ for Eleksyon 2022 —DILG exec

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has submitted more than 300 possible “areas of concern” in light of the coming 2022 elections, an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Monday.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said that “election hotspots” are now called “areas of concern.”

“Mayroon po sinubmit 'yung ating PNP na mahigit 300 na possible areas of concern. 'Yun po 'yung tawag natin rather than election hotspots,” he said.

(The  PNP has submitted over 300 possible areas of concern. That’s what we will call them rather than election hotspots.)

Densing said the declaration of the areas of concern by the Commission on Elections has been delayed as the poll body is still thoroughly verifying the condition in these places.

Last week, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said the areas of concern would be announced on March 31.

The PNP classified the areas in the country into four color-coded categories: green, yellow, orange, and red.

Areas classified as green are considered generally peaceful for the conduct of elections, according to the PNP.

Yellow areas have reported suspected election-related incidents in the past two polls, possible presence of armed groups, and intense political rivalries. Yellow areas are considered “areas of concern”.

Orange areas have a recorded presence of armed groups such as the New People's Army that may interrupt the polls. These are considered “areas of immediate concern”.

Meanwhile, red areas meet the parameters for yellow and orange areas. They will be placed under Comelec control. Security forces will focus on monitoring these areas with a possibility for violence and intense political fights among local candidates.—AOL, GMA News