Abra and Mountain Province become Hotspots

by Julia Belleza

Copyrights to De Jesus, Julliane Love of Philippine Inquirer
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/745786/pnp-identifies-6-elections-hotspots

Copyrights to Penarodendo, Ernie of Philippine Star
PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/12/08/1530175/pnp-validating-possible-poll-hotspots

Many areas of concern in the Philippines are being kept at close watch by the Philippine National Police or PNP because of the upcoming elections this May. According to PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez, the initial list created by both the PNP and the AFP, Armed Forces of the Philippines include: Pangasinan, Masbate, Negros Oriental, Western Samar, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur. An area can be considered an "election hotspot" when four things can be found:

1. A history of intense partisan political rivalry.

2. Incidents in the past being either politically-motivated, incidents which happen before the campaign period, or election-related, incidents which happen during the election period.

3. Presence of threat groups such as Abu Sayyaf Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and private army groups.

4. A sudden increase of firearms

File Photo http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/12/09/1530537/6-provinces-eyed-poll-hotspots

In these election watchlist areas or EWAS personnel, resources, and logistics will be doubled to ensure safety for the people. Even with the elections being 2 months away, both parties look for other regions and towns they may have overlooked. Recent additions such as Abra and Mountain Province are one of them.

An election officer named Ricardo Lampac said that its cause are possible incidents which can occur because of the political rivalry between Mayor Gabino Ganggangan, a former official of the Cordillera People's Liberation Army and Jose Limmayog, a former director of the National Bureau of Investigation for the position of Mayor

The towns Paracelis and Sadanga in Mountain Province had been subjects of election-related violence. In 2011, a precinct count optical scan machine was destroyed; and, in year 2013 a school where voting was being held was burned down in Paracelis. Though no election-related violence has been reported in Abra, it is possible that if an incident were to occur, the province would be affected because of how close the two are geographically. The main reason for Abra's being one of the hotspots is its need for assistance in case of complaints or of political rivalries.

Even though Mountain Province has only 2 of the 4 things mentioned for election hotspots, they should not be taken lightly. Taking part in politics is a dangerous and potentially fatal decision. With so many parties and opinions to take into consideration, one misstep can lead to a controversy. I feel as if it shouldn't just be those deemed as election hotspots or EWAS to have more security and personnel looking over the voting but in all regions.

It may be costly in regards to the salaries which have to be paid but it would promote more honest and open elections and campaigning.