18 Negros Occ. ‘election watchlist areas’ still peaceful

Dominique Gabriel Bañaga

BACOLOD City – The 18 areas in Negros Occidental tagged as “election watchlist areas” ( EWAs) remain peaceful five days prior to the synchronized national and local elections.

These areas were the cities of Silay, Victorias, Escalante, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, and Sipalay and the towns of Manapla, Toboso, Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto, Binalbagan, La Castellana, Isabela, Moises Padilla, Ilog, Cauayan, Candoni, and Hinoba-an.

Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) spokesperson Police Lieutenant Abegael Donasco said since the campaign period for local candidates began, they have not recorded ruckuses among rival political factions.

The 18 areas were earlier tagged as EWAs either due to intense political rivalry, presence of armed groups, particularly communist insurgents, or both./