BAGUIO CITY — Authorities have put three villages in Kalinga province at a heightened alert as they expect election violence during village and youth council elections in October.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has labeled the villages of Mabongtot, Upper Uma and Western Uma, all in Lubuagan town, critical areas.
Village candidates are expected to file their certificates of candidacy starting Aug. 28, which is the start of the gun ban and installation of police and military checkpoints.
The three villages were placed under Red category because of their history of election-related violence and intense political rivalries, Comelec Cordillera said.
Thirteen villages in nine towns of Abra province were under yellow category, meaning they have a history of political violence. — Artemio A. Dumlao
