The Police Regional Office (PRO-7) will meet with Commission on Elections (Comelec-7) to check the list of political aspirants and in what areas as basis to determine the possible election hotspots in Central Visayas this 2010 elections.
PRO-7 C/Supt. Lani-o Nerez during this morning’s ‘Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis’ (TSIP) Forum bared that they have yet to check who are the political personalities involved in particular areas in the coming polls before they can assess whether a specific area is considered under the watch list of Areas of Concern (AOC).
A town, city or province is considered an AOC if there is possible conflict between warring political parties.
But an election hotspot is more serious as there is already a previous history of election related violence, this is learned.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is limiting to two the number of police security escorts per politico but this could be increased upon request by the politician but only on a temporary basis such as going to an area considered high-risk, Nerez declared.
Police security escorts are also ordered to be in uniform but when the election period kicks off, Nerez said police security escorts are taken out because approval for security escorts will have to be determined and approved by the Comelec.
The PRO-7 chief however said, the political situation in Central Visayas is very far from Mindanao as “politicos here are mature” although they are continually monitoring and assessing any possible eruption of violence if ever. (PIA/FCR)
