Laguna, Two Other Luzon Provinces Eyed as Possible Election Hotspots

Three Luzon provinces are being considered as possible hotspots for human rights violations during the elections.

Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Jose Luis Gascon said they have noticed that these areas where there are probable occurrence of human rights violations.

“We have been used to some regular areas where it happens like Masbate, Abra, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. But recently, there are places coming out that are emerging,” he said during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the CHR and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday.

Gascon identified the provinces as Laguna, Nueva Ecija, and Bulacan.

“We are focusing on priority areas, like the Areas of Concern, Hotspots and others since they are also the areas where there are human rights violations during elections,” he added.

He noted that among the human rights violations related to elections include intimidation, threat, and violence against voters or supporters.

Meanwhile, Comelec Commissioner Luie Guia said that intimidation or threat is considered as illegal act that constitutes an election offense.

“All acts of violence can be considered as intimidation or threat,” he added.

On the other hand, the Comelec and the CHR signed an MOU in a bid to monitor violations of human rights in relation to the conduct of the polls.

Under the MOU, the poll body will be providing assistance to the CHR and its partner organizations in the conduct of monitoring and investigative activities while the latter is required to assist the former in the investigation and prosecution of election offenses involving violations of human rights relative to the conduct of elections.(PNA) RMA/FGP/EDS