The number of barangays included in the election watchlist areas (EWA) in Bohol has risen to 33 from the previously recommended 18 in relation to the village and youth polls on Monday next week.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) started to implement a color-coding system using the colors green, yellow, orange and red to classify the concerns for each of the election “hotspots,” said Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Eliseo Labaria.
Of the 33 Bohol villages included in the list, 23 were placed under the orange code while 10 were under the yellow code.
According to the Comelec, areas classified under yellow had violent incidents in previous elections; under orange, with armed and rebel groups; and those with both concerns are red or “critical areas.”
Those classified under the green code are considered “peaceful areas.”
The Comelec’s Regional Joint Security Coordinating Council (RJSCC) declared the following barangays as part of its new color-coded poll watchlist:
ORANGE CODE
- Cabantang, Alicia
- Cansibuan, Antequera
- Baluarte, Buenavista
- Bantuan, Buenavista
- Bonot-bonot, Buenavista
- Cawag, Buenavista
- Nueva Montaña, Buenavista
- Tubod, Candijay
- Bogtongbod, Clarin
- Cabog, Clarin
- Tubog, Clarin
- Bonbon, Clarin
- Madua Norte, Duero
- Cantubod, Danao
- Villa Anunciado, Danao
- Cabatuan, Danao
- Tabok, Danao
- Maria Rosario, Dagohoy
- Cuaming, Inabanga
- Inagbukam, Pilar
- Bugsoc, Sierra Bullones
- Lumangog, Ubay
- San Pascual, Ubay
YELLOW CODE
- Cabacnitan, Batuan
- Poblacion, Bilar
- Mataub, Clarin
- Cagawitan, Dagohoy
- Mahayag, Dagohoy
- Banahaw, Inabaga
- Ilaud, Inabanga
- Cagawasan, Pilar
- Macaas, Tubigon
- Achila, Ubay
The list was approved by the RJSCC which is led by Comelec-7 acting director Atty. Veronico Petalcorin and representatives from the police, military and the Department of Education.
According to Labaria, the Comelec imposed the new system for the public to clearly identify the situation in each of the villages included in the EWA.
The Comelec had also indicated earlier that deployment of police and military forces will be focused in areas considered as election hostpots.
For his part, Sr. Insp. Rufo Potane, chief of the Bohol Provincial Police Office’s Community Relations Branch, said that another village would likely be added to the EWA.
This was after a candidate for councilor in Barangay Katipunan, Sagbayan was shot dead on Thursday in Barangay Cambitoon, Inabanga by two unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen.
The Inabanga Police Station identified the victim as Gregorio Melissa, 50.
According to Potane, authorities have yet to pinpoint which barangay would be added to the EWA as Melissa was a candidate in Katipunan, Sagbayan but was killed in Cambitoon, Inabanga. (Rey Tutas)