In preparation for the upcoming elections on May 12, a significant number of cities and municipalities in Negros Oriental are expected to be categorized as yellow, according to a statement from a Commission on Elections (Comelec) official. Lionel Marco Castillano, the Comelec-Negros Island Region Director, revealed that out of the 25 areas in the province, 23 are likely to be placed under the yellow category, with the other two falling into the orange and red categories.
The Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC), led by Eddie Aba, the provincial election supervisor for Negros Oriental, is currently drafting a recommendation to be sent to the Regional JSCC for approval and further endorsement to the national level. The classification system used by the police categorizes areas as follows: green indicates no concerns, yellow signifies a history of political unrest, orange denotes the presence of armed groups, and red signals critical situations that may require Comelec intervention.
A meeting is scheduled for Friday where the PJSCC, which includes representatives from Comelec, the Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, will finalize their recommendations and address security concerns. In addition, Castillano expressed gratitude for the recent deployment of 200 police officers to Negros Oriental, specifically to Canlaon City, to assist with election duties. The Police Regional Office-Central Visayas has also committed to providing additional forces if necessary.