In preparation for the upcoming May 2025 midterm elections, the Caraga Region has pinpointed 29 areas as potential hotspots for election-related issues, according to Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano, the director of the Police Regional Office 13 (PRO-13). These areas are categorized based on the severity of threats they pose to the electoral process.
Abrahano highlighted that 19 of these areas are classified under the orange category, signaling a high risk due to serious armed threats. These areas, located in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur, have a history of election-related incidents, making them critical zones for security deployment. The remaining 10 areas fall into the yellow category, indicating a risk of election-related violence due to intense political rivalries and the potential presence of private armed groups. These are spread across Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, and Agusan del Norte.
No areas in the region are classified under the red category, which would indicate an even higher level of threat. Abrahano emphasized that these classifications will guide PRO-13 in strategically deploying resources to ensure the elections remain peaceful and orderly.
In response to these concerns, the Philippine National Police has initiated a ‘100 days before elections’ campaign, intensifying law enforcement efforts. From January 12 to February 10, PRO-13 reported the arrest of 16 individuals for violating the gun ban and the seizure of 15 firearms. Additionally, the regional police office is working closely with the Commission on Elections and other law enforcement agencies to enforce the gun ban rigorously, with over 11,655 checkpoints established throughout the region.