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THE Commission on Elections is considering declaring
six more areas as election “hot spots” and place under its
control during the coming midterm election.
Chairman Benjamin Abalos
identified the provinces as Sulu, Kalinga, Masbate, Nueva Ecija,
Quezon and Puerto Princesa City as possible areas of concern.
He stressed though that the
entire Sulu was not a disturbed area but only in certain
municipalities, like Panamao, affected by the ongoing military
campaign against the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group.
Also being considering as hot
spot, Abalos added, is the province of Kalinga, which stemmed from
the recent slaying of Kalinga Vice-Governor Tommy Dumasin, a
declared gubernatorial candidate.
But Abalos said that it would all
depend on the result of the Comelec en banc’s meeting, adding that
it is also possible that the poll body would only order the
augmentation of the police force in the province.
The Comelec, he further said, is
also closely monitoring Puerto Princesa City, Masbate, Nueva Ecija
and Quezon.
In Puerto Princesa, retired Gen.
Eduardo Matillano, former chief of criminal investigation and
detection group, is challenging incumbent Mayor Edward Hageπdorn.
In Masbate, the powerful Espinosa
and Kho political clans were also fighting for the gubernatorial,
congressional and mayoral posts.
In Nueva Ecija, Vice-Governor
Nonato Joson 3rd is being challenge by Rep. Aurelio Umali for the
gubernatorial post. The Josons is lording Nueva Ecija politics for
decades.
As for the province of Quezon,
Abalos said that there were reports of heightened activities of New
People’s Army in the area.
So far, only Mountain Province
has been declared as hot spot and was placed under Comelec
control.
 --William
B. Depasupil
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