Poll ‘hot spots’
LESS than five months before the May 9, 2022 national and local elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified 546 poll “hot spots” across the country.
Of the number, 39 municipalities and seven cities are under the “red category” or considered “areas of grave concern,” according to B/Gen. Michael John Dubria.
In the 2019 national and local ballotings, election “hot spots” numbered 946.
President Duterte, who is set to leave Malacanang next year, had earlier assured the people that the upcoming elections “will be honest, peaceful, credible and free.”
And the outgoing Chief Executive from Davao City in Mindanao vowed that he would “proudly turn over” the presidency to his successor at 12 noon on June 30, 2022.
“It will be my highest honor to turn over the reins of power to my successor, knowing that in the exercise of my mandate I did my best to serve the Filipino nation,” said Duterte.
PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos, on the other hand, said the national police agency would maximize the deployment of policemen to the election “hot spots” throughout the country.
Comelec and police records show that the Philippines, where regular elections are held every three years, has a long history of polls marked by violence and bloodshed.
In the country, local elections are bloodier than national polls since those seeking local posts, like mayor, vice mayor and councilor, are relatives, friends and neighbors.
Of course, it is certainly heartening to know that the PNP is closely watching the so-called private armed groups (PAGs), which are maintained by moneyed politicians.
