20 Cities, Towns In Central Visayas Under Election Watchlist

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 has listed 20 municipalities and cities in Central Visayas for inclusion in the election watchlist of areas (Ewas) for intense political rivalry.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, PRO 7 deputy director for operations, did not the divulge the list which is yet to be finalized.

In the 2013 elections, there were 32 towns and cities in Regional Joint Peace and Security Control Center’s (RJPSCC) Ewas list.

Lawas said the RJPSCC has the final say on the list for this year’s elections.

He said there are seven places in Cebu, seven in Bohol and six in Siquijor that are included in the recent list.

He said PRO 7 Director Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan suggested submitting the list to the provincial and city JPSCCs before the RJPSCC decides on it.

Lawas is also urging candidates to join peace covenant signings as their gesture of supporting peaceful elections.

But he said he respects politicians who are non-committal, but participating in the activity shows who they are as a candidate.

“This is not compulsory. But we are still encouraging them to join,” he said.

The units under PRO 7 initiated more than 70 peace covenant signings and muzzle-taping of firearms from Feb. 1 to March 13. (PNA) JBP/EB/EBP