DILG spox: Election areas of concern now fewer compared to 2019 polls

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday said the number of election areas of concern is now fewer compared to the 2019 mid-term polls.

At the Palace briefing, DILG spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said that from 946 areas in the 2019 elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) now listed around 300 areas only for the 2022 polls.

“Mas mababa ngayong eleksyong ito. Ang ating mga election hotspots kasi kung maaalala natin noong 2019, 946 lahat ‘yan and 546 ang red areas of concern,” he said.

(The number of election areas of concern now is lower. Our election hotspots in 2019 were 546 in total and 546 were red areas of concern.)

“Ngayon naman po ang tinitignan nating red areas ay 125—110 town and 15 cities—at kung isasama po natin lahat red, orange, yellow around 300 lang po ‘yan,” he added.

(Now we are looking at 125 red areas—110 towns and 15 cities—and if we combine red, orange, yellow areas it is around 300 only.)

Malaya said the lower number of election areas of concern indicated that there is an improvement in the peace and order situation in the country.

Caloocan, Quezon City

Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Major General Felipe Natividad said Caloocan and Quezon City have been included in the list.

Caloocan is now considered as an orange area from green area, while Quezon City as a yellow area from orange area, he added.

“Wala naman po masyado. Except, of course, for Quezon City, which I think from orange nag-yellow. And then Caloocan is already included. Dati po green ang ating Caloocan, ngayon po ay orange na po ang kanyang status,” he said.

(Many were not included. Except, of course, for Quezon City, which I think from orange it turned yellow. And then Caloocan is already included. Previously, it was green but now it is orange.)

The PNP classifies the areas in the country into four color-coded categories for the 2022 elections: 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.”

The PNP has submitted the list of these areas to the Commission on Elections for verification. — RSJ, GMA News