In a reassuring update from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), it has been confirmed that there are currently no threats against the 737 local candidates participating in the upcoming May 12 elections. This announcement came from Capt. Judesses Catalogo, the NOCPPO’s public information officer, who noted that no requests for police security have been made by the candidates as of yet.
Should any candidate feel the need for security, they are required to submit their request to the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Catalogo explained that the Philippine National Police would then evaluate any potential threats. If a threat is deemed credible, an investigation would be promptly initiated to ensure the safety of the candidates during the election period.
The deployment of security personnel for the midterm elections was a key topic at the Provincial Joint Security Control Center’s coordinating conference held on January 11. Catalogo mentioned that the Philippine Army and the Philippine Coast Guard would be involved in securing certain areas, with the Coast Guard specifically tasked with overseeing polling stations on small islands and coastal regions.
Negros Occidental remains under the ‘green category,’ indicating no significant election-related security issues. This classification was reaffirmed during discussions about security levels, with no changes reported. Local government units in the green category are considered safe from election-related threats.
From January 12 to June 11, a nationwide gun ban will be in effect, with exceptions for security forces and certain exempted individuals such as prosecutors and judges.