ILOILO – The classification of towns in this province under the “areas of concern” list for the May 12, 2025 midterm elections may still change.
According to Atty. Reinier Layson, Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Iloilo provincial election supervisor, the list released by their central office is only preliminary and subject to revision as the election day approaches.
Layson cited Calinog, the sole town in Region 6 categorized under the “red” category, as an example of a possible reclassification.
“You have to understand that this is just an initial list; it will not be the final one for the elections because this is an evolving process,” Layson said. “We aim to work on improving the situation in these areas. If we can lower the category, that would be better. We are validating the presence of Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) in the area.”
Calinog was placed in the red category due to election-related incidents during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in October 2023, as well as a clash between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and CTGs in the same year.
Layson welcomed the Comelec central office’s release of the areas of concern list, stating that it provides an opportunity for the Comelec, AFP, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to collaborate in ensuring peaceful elections, not only in Calinog but throughout Iloilo province.
“For us, working with the AFP, PNP, and Comelec, this is an opportunity to better secure the conduct of elections in Calinog and the entire province of Iloilo,” he added.
Initial Classification of Areas in Iloilo
Based on the Comelec central office’s list released last week, 10 towns in Iloilo province are classified as areas of concern:
* Red category – Calinog
* Yellow category – Ajuy, Lemery, San Dionisio, and San Enrique
* Orange category – Badiangan, Janiuay, Leon, Maasin, and San Joaquin
The classifications follow Comelec Resolution No. 11067, Rule XVII, Section 8.
“Green” refers to areas with no security concerns or relatively peaceful and orderly situations.
“Yellow” areas have following:
* past election-related incidents (ERI) without involvement of domestic terror groups
* intense partisan political rivalry without domestic terror group participation
* possible use of private armed groups (PAGs) by candidates
* politically motivated ERIs during the current election period without domestic terror group involvement
* areas previously declared under Comelec control
“Orange” are areas with the following:
* a combination of two or more Yellow category factors
* serious armed threats posed by CTGs or other groups declared by competent authorities
“Red” areas exhibit the following:
* Yellow category factors combined with serious armed threats from CTGs or other groups
* declaration by government agencies that grounds for Comelec control exist
Areas under the Orange and Red categories may warrant increased deployment of AFP and PNP personnel, as well as the reshuffling of the police force.
The Red Category may also lead to Comelec control of the area.
The classifications aim to guide security measures and ensure orderly elections in May 2025./PN
