The Davao Region. Map courtesy of Google
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 03 February) – Two cities and 18 municipalities in Davao Region have been placed under election watchlist areas (EWAS), the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao said.
The region is composed of five provinces, six cities, and 43 municipalities.
Maj Eudisan Gultiano, PRO-Davao spokesperson, said during “Kasikas sa Probinsya” over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) Thursday that the cities are Digos in Davao del Sur and Tagum in Davao del Norte.
The municipalities include Laak, Mabini, Maco, Maragusan, Mawab, Monkayo, New Bataan, Pantukan and Montevista in Davao de Oro; Bansalan, Kiblawan, Matanao, Magsaysay and Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur; New Corella and Talaingod in Davao del Norte; Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental; and Lupon in Davao Oriental.
Gultiano said more security personnel will be deployed to closely monitor these areas.
No barangays in Davao City are under the watchlist, she said.
The factors considered in categorizing an area under EWAS include the history of election-related incidents in the past two elections and the existing threats from local armed groups, particularly New People’s Army (NPA), she explained.
She said the security sector also took into consideration intense political rivalries in the localities.
She said police and military will closely monitor election related activities in the whole region, but there will be deployment of additional security forces in watchlist areas to address possible security concerns. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
