Police To Recommend 7 Cebu LGUs To Be Placed Under Poll Watchlist

The Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) will recommend the inclusion of six towns and a component city in Cebu in the election watchlist areas (Ewas), an official said.

Senior Superintedent Clifford Gairanod, CPPO director, identified them as Dumanjug, Tuburan, San Fernando, Medellin, Daanbantayan and Carmen towns and Bogo City.

Gairanod said these places have a history of intense political rivalry.

He said they had also recorded election-related incidents in Bogo City in previous elections.

A standoff occurred between two political groups in the city in May 2010.

A few days before the elections in 2013, the police received reports of strafing and mauling incidents and discovery of hand grenades.

In the 2013 elections, Bogo City was one of three cities and 11 towns in Cebu Province that fell under Ewas.

The recommendation regarding the six towns and one city will be contained in a resolution the police will then submit to the Regional Joint Peace and Security Control Center (RJPSCC).

Gairanod said the provincial JPSCC, which is composed of the local police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Commission on Elections, has approved the inclusion of the six municipalities and Bogo City in Ewas.

“There is a possibility that there will be additions to the list. There is also a possibility that the list would not be reduced),” he said.

If the list will be approved by RJPSCC, Gairanod said they will give extra security to these places. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS