By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified at least 4,511 villages throughout the country as hotspots for the upcoming October elections, PNP Chief Avelino Razon Jr. said Tuesday.

At the same time, Razon said the PNP will work with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to ensure that the barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) polls will not be disrupted by threat groups like the communist rebels, terrorist groups and private armies of some politicians.

Razon presented a report on the October 29 elections to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during Tuesday’s meeting of the National Security Council in Malacañang. He said he will submit the same report to the Commission on Election Wednesday.

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By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Acting poll chief Resurreccion Borra has warned the public against taking lightly the importance and the level of rivalry in the upcoming barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) elections on October 29.

“Let’s not underestimate [these] elections because it will be hotly contested. Brothers will run against brothers; fathers against sons; relatives against neighbors. All do not want to lose and amor propio or pride will not create the atmosphere conducive to a free, fair, and intelligent elections,” he told reporters at the Senate shortly before the start of the hearing on the Comelec’s budget.

Borra, who took over the helm of the Commission on Elections following the resignation of erstwhile chairman Benjamin Abalos, said the poll body will hold a command conference with the military and the policemen next Wednesday in Camp Crame to discuss the possible election hot spots or areas where violence may occur.

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