(Eagle News) — Mindanao, Abra and some towns in northern Samar and Isabela are now election hotspots.
The Commission on Elections made the declaration on Tuesday, March 19, months before the elections slated in May.
According to James Jimenez, Comelec spokesperson, the decision to declare Mindanao an election hotspot was due to “serious armed threats” from members of the New People’s Army, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Abu Sayyaf, among others.
Apart from Mindanao, Lope de Vega town in northern Samar, Jones town in Isabela, and Abra province were also declared election hotspots.
Once declared under Comelec authority, an area’s law enforcement agencies and military officers are under the supervision and control of the poll body.