DAET, Camarines Norte --A total of 55 barangays in Camarines Norte  were placed under the orange category by the provincial office of the Philippine National Police (PNP).  This will aid the PNP and COMELEC in their preparation for the forthcoming Barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

During the meeting held at the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) here, PNP Provincial Director PCol. Joselito Villarosa Jr. said that of the total 55 barangays identified as election hotspots 4 are in Capalonga;  Jose Panganiban – 11, Labo – 22, Mercedes- 4, while Sta. Elena and San Lorenzo Ruiz both have 7.  

He said that the 55 barangays were placed under the orange category due to past history of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) atrocity and armed encounter in the area.

Villarosa said that a total of 1,155 uniformed personnel will be deployed in Camarines Norte for the BSKE.

Out of this number,  the Camarines Norte Police Provincial Office (CNPPO) will deploy 779 policemen; 61 from the Maritime, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and Highway Patrol Group; while 315 augmentations from the Philippine Army (PA) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Earlier this month, the CNPPO had already installed checkpoints on  major roads in the province and  will soon be intensified for the monitoring of possible amounts of cash in line with the implementation of the “money ban” of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

He also urged fellow policemen to ensure the safety of  teachers who will be in the polling places. They are also expected to assist in case of any  dilemma that may arise before, during, and after the elections

Meanwhile, COMELEC   Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Francis Nievez seek the support of the public and stakeholders to help in the “Kontra Bigay” or to the no-to-vote buying campaign.

He said that vote buying is hard to eliminate but at least they are hoping to minimize it in order instill good values to the voters.

Vote-buying and selling votes are considered as dishonest acts which should not be tolerated.  

Nieves said that the COMELEC’s operation against buying and vote-selling includes information dissemination during the campaign period; intense operation in certain areas like barangay halls, public places, and streets; and search warrants directed against private places with vote-buying activities.  

He urged policemen to catch those persons involved in vote-buying and vote-selling.

Nieves cited to stakeholders important concepts of Kontra-Bigay to have political neutrality. The campaign is a Whole-of Nation Approach and there are standard operating procedures in its implementation.

The COMELEC and agencies concerned will also conduct the “operation baklas” on Oct. 20 and 27 in line with the  Nationwide Operation Baklas activity. 

Nieves also requested Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative (CANORECO) for power stability during the election and  ensure a continuous supply of electricity. He also urged the electric cooperative to have emergency hotlines.

The other deputized agencies also reported their activities and preparations for the upcoming elections particularly the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG),   Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Education (DepEd), Provincial Health Office (PHO), National Bureau of Investigations (NBI) among others.

The province of Camarines Note has 282 barangays with 392,979 regular registered voters and 144,340 SK registered voters. (PIA5/Camarines Norte)