MANILA— The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday identified several towns and provinces considered to be "elections areas of grave concern," due to the presence of different armed groups.

"Election hot spots" are towns or cities where uniformed personnel are augmented due to the existence of "violent incidents involving aspirants/candidates/supporters from the filing of candidacy to the election period," authorities said in a statement.

As of Saturday, December 29, the PNP identified the following areas as election hot spots:

REGION I ILOCOS

• Sudipen, La Union
• Balaoan, La Union

REGION II CAGAYAN

• Jones, Isabela

REGION IV-A CALABARZON

• Lemery, Batangas

REGION IV-B MIMAROPA

• Roxas, Oriental Mindoro

REGION V BICOL

• Balud, Masbate
• Dimasalang, Masbate

REGION IX ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA

• Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur

REGION X NORTHERN MINDANAO

• Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental

ARMM

• Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan
• Lantawan, Basilan
• Tipo-tipo, Basilan
• Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
• Sultan Dumalondong, Lanao del Sur
• Mamasapano, Maguindanao
• Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao
• Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao
• Datu Unsay, Maguindanao

• 18 ‘election hot spots’ under close PNP watch: Albayalde