Comelec tags 27 ‘red’ areas ahead of BARMM polls
The Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec) has identified 27 'red' areas in the Bangsamoro region due to historical election-related violence ahead of the September polls. Meanwhile, recent grenade attacks in the region have been linked to retaliatory actions by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
Why it matters
Security concerns in the Bangsamoro region pose a significant challenge to the integrity and safety of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has tagged 27 areas of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao under the "red" category, ahead of the first BARMM parliamentary election in September.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said a red category indicates serious threats posed by communist rebels and other threat groups to a particular location.
"The 27 areas were classified solely because of their history of election-related violence in previous elections, but there are no current incidents linked to them. That is what we are monitoring right now," Garcia told radio dzBB.
Garcia said 27 other areas were placed under the "orange" category, indicating possible election-related disturbances.
He clarified that the areas, which remain unspecified, would be monitored and checked for reclassifications each week leading to the Sept. 14 polls.
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