Eight towns in the Province of Iloilo are being monitored tightly in relation to the May 2025 midterm elections.

Five of these municipalities are placed under the Orange category (indicates presence of armed groups), while three are placed under the Yellow category (has history of political unrest). 

According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Iloilo, as the Regional Joint Security Control Center convened on March 29, 2025, one of the topics tackled is about areas in Western Visayas to be given monitoring priority during the midterm elections. 

The agency recommended the eight towns after threats have gone apparent due to the presence of rebel groups and intense political rivalry.

However, Iloilo Provincial Election Officer Atty. Reinier Layson, did not disclose the eight towns, citing that only the COMELEC Central Office has the authority to release the list.

“We deliberated sa mga parameters, tiningnan natin ang mga bayan sa probinsya sa areas of concern,” Layson said.

GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak tried to reach for a comment from COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia but, as of posting time, he has not responded to any of the news team’s calls or messages.

Meanwhile, transfer of assignment of over 200 police personnel in the province was mulled prior to the start of the campaign period, citing kinship with election candidates.

“I-identify na natin ang police officers na mag-more than one year, and police officers who have relatives who will run this coming election,” Colonel Bayani Razalan, Iloilo Police Provincial Office director, said.