7 cities, 39 towns 'poll hotspots'

SEVEN cities and 39 towns across the country are considered as likely election hot spots, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

AFP spokesman Army Col. Ramon Zagala said in a radio interview on Sunday the Commission on Elections (Comelec), AFP, Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns met last February 8 to identify the areas where violence could break out during the elections.

Zagala said the hot spots were determined based on field reports as well as on whether there was violence or related incidents in the areas during previous elections.

Most of the areas are in Mindanao.

"From there, Comelec will declare, together with the PNP, where they will be guarded and secured. These are just general areas per region. From this the AFP will augment the PNP," Zagala said.

Among the areas are those where local terrorist, communist and private armed groups are present.

The AFP considers communist groups as the biggest threat to the May 9 polls.

"They want to influence our elections, especially now that they are weak, they can no longer face up to the AFP and PNP. They will try to intimidate candidates with their guns," Zagala said.

The military already has a plan to counter any terrorist threat, he added.

Source: TheManila Times