Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec), with a few days before the midterm elections, has identified at least 1,196 areas as hotspots.
The new list, which is part of Comelec en banc Resolution No. 10531 dated May 6, 2019, covers the National Capital Region, Luzon and the Visayas, as recommended by the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel “taking into account the official reports from all regional joint security control centers”.
All areas in Mindanao were earlier placed under election hotpots as category red or areas of grave concern.
Three areas are under Comelec control —Daraga City, Cotabato City and Moises Padilla town. These areas have been placed under the poll body’s immediate and direct control and supervision due to its history of intense political rivalry that could result in violence.
There are 85 areas of the 1,196 areas declared as hotspots that are under the category red.
At least 706 areas are under category green or generally peaceful and orderly, while the rest are either in category yellow or areas of concern or orange also identified as areas of immediate concern.
Summary of number of election hotspots per province:
National Capital Region (34 areas)
Region I (125 areas)
Region II (93 areas)
Region III (130 areas)
Region IV-A (142 areas)
Region IV-B (73 areas)
Region V (114 areas)
Region VI (133 areas)
Region VII (132 areas)
Region VIII (143)
