At least 19 areas in the Ilocos Region remain under the Yellow Category for the 2025 elections due to their history of election-related incidents and possible private armed group activity, according to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
The areas under the Yellow Category include:
- Pangasinan: Aguilar, Binmaley, Malasiqui, Mangaldan, Sual, San Quintin, Urdaneta City, Dagupan City
- Ilocos Norte: Currimao, Badoc, Laoag City, Pagudpud, Paoay, Pasuquin, Solsona
- La Union: Agoo, Caba, Pugo
- Ilocos Sur: San Vicente
However, six areas in Ilocos Norte have requested formally to be downgraded to the Green Category, which indicates no security threats.
COMELEC said downgrading a location's category is not an easy process.
“Hindi basta-basta ang pag-downgrade sa alert category ng isang lugar. Tinitingnan natin kung tama nga ‘yung pag-assess sa mga bayan-bayan nila na nandoon sa Yellow Category and i-downgrade sa Green Category,” Atty. Reddy Balarbar, Assistant Regional Election Director of COMELEC-Region 1, said.
COMELEC will coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct security assessments.
In Pangasinan, none of the Yellow Category areas have requested a downgrade yet.
“Ang mangyayari kasi diyan, magko-convene ang Joint Security Council ng munisipyo or city upang i-discuss kung kailangang mag-downgrade. So far, sa atin wala pa namang sinasabi ang ating election officers,” Atty. Ericson Oganiza, Provincial Election Supervisor of COMELEC-Pangasinan, said.
The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO) continues to monitor these areas to ensure a peaceful election in May 2025.
COMELEC and law enforcement agencies assure the public that they are watching election-related activities closely to prevent violence and ensure a fair voting process in Region 1.
