Comelec places 12 areas under 'red' category ahead of BARMM polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has placed 12 election areas of concern under the “red” category ahead of the 2025 Bangsamoro elections, its chairperson said Thursday.

Poll chief George Erwin Garcia earlier said at least six areas in Lanao del Sur, five in Maguindanao del Sur, and one in Basilan were placed under the category, adding it was due to the  history of conflict and violence in the localities. 

The areas are:

Lanao del Sur

• Masiu
• Lumba-Bayabao
• Poona Bayabao
• Tamparan
• Taraka
• Mulondo

Maguindanao del Sur

• Paglat
• Pandag
• Buluan
• Datu Paglas
• Mangudadatu

Basilan

• Al Barka

“Kalimitan na basehan ay ang kasaysayan ng lugar — kung sa mga previous elections ay may kaguluhan, may presenya ng private armed groups o may recent na pangyayari na nagbigay ng kaguluhan sa lugar,” Garcia said. 

(The basis for the declaration most of the time is the history of the areas — if there were conflict in the areas during the previous elections and if there was a presence of private armed groups there. Also, if there were recent incidents of conflict in the municipalities.)

According to Garcia, the Bangsamoro region remains generally peaceful amid the 45-day campaign period for the October 13 polls. He also said there were no incidents of election-related violence monitored in the region so far. 

“Wala. Sa kasalukuyan, ang issue pa rin dun ay ang 80 at 73 na pinandigan namin na 73,” he added. 

(No [election-related violence]. We have yet to record any ERV in the region. In fact, the issue is still about the 73 parliamentary seats for the polls.)

Comelec Resolution No. 11067 states that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) classify all areas in the country under four categories: green, yellow, orange and red. 

Areas under the green category are those with no security concerns or are relatively peaceful and orderly for the conduct of elections. 

Yellow areas have reported suspected election-related incidents in the past two polls, provided there was no participation of domestic terror groups. The areas should also have been previously declared under Comelec control as well as reported the possible presence of armed groups and intense political rivalries.

On the other hand, orange areas should have the combination of two or more factors under the yellow category. There should also be serious armed threats posed by communist terror groups (CTGs) or other groups. 

Meanwhile, red areas meet the parameters for yellow and have serious threats posed by CTGs or other threat groups. There should also be security forces that should focus on monitoring these areas with the possibility for violence and intense political fighting among local candidates. — RF, GMA Integrated News