6 La Union towns declared poll hotspots, 33 more in Region 1 provinces

San Fernando City, along with the towns of Balaoan, Bacnotan, Naguilian, Aringay and Agoo, were declared as "areas of concern" or election hotspots by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine National Police(PNP).

Senior Superintendent Angelito Dumangeng, La Union police director, has intensified checkpoint operations in these areas and police personnel were augmented by 200 new police recruits.

Dumangeng said personnel from the Philippine Navy and Army, together with the PNP's quick response team will be deployed in these areas on May 2.

Lawyer Julius Torres, Comelec regional election director in Region 1, said the areas of concern are those places with intense political rivalries and where election-related violence occurred during the previous elections.

In Balaoan, La Union, the contending parties for the mayoral and vice mayoral positions are close relatives – incumbent Mayor Al-Fred Concepcion is running for vice mayor in tandem with his daughter, lawyer Alile Concepcion, who is running for mayor.

They are being challenged by the son and father tandem of incumbent Vice Mayor Gerard Ostrea who is running for Mayor while his father, provincial board member Joaquin Ostrea Jr. is running for vice mayor.

In Bacnotan town, incumbent Mayor Francis Fontanilla is being challenged by his younger brother, Barangay Captain Lito Fontanilla.

Dumangeng said that there are reports of alleged harassment in these areas of concerns but no election -related incident has happened yet based on police evaluation.

Torres said that are a total 39 areas of concern in Region 1, aside from the six in La Union. The others are 16 towns in Pangasinan, 10 in Ilocos Norte, and seven in Ilocos Sur.

"The list may or may not change as the elections draw closer," said Torres.

Torres said their office is in constant coordination with the police and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to ensure a safe and peaceful polls in the region. (PNA)