Jamaine Punzalan

The Certificates of Candidacy and other related documents from different regional offices of the Commission on Elections arrive at the agency's main office in Manila on October 10, 2024, days after the filing of aspirants for local posts in their respective areas. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Regional COCs arrive at COMELEC

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173631025310820241010-comelec-coc-submission-MD-6.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Certificates of Candidacy and other related documents from different regional offices of the Commission on Elections arrive at the agency&#x27;s main office in Manila on October 10, 2024, days after the filing of aspirants for local posts in their respective areas. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Twelve municipalities in Central Luzon were recommended to be placed under areas of concern for the midterm elections in May, a police official said on Tuesday.</p><p>Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3) director BGen. Redrico Maranan said they already submitted the recommendation to the Commission on Elections for review and approval.</p><p>The municipalities are located in Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga and Bulacan.</p><p>“Meron tayong areas of concern na ni-recommend sa Comelec. Meron tayong 12 munisipyo na ni-recommend doon at yun ay idi-deliberate pa naman. Habang papalapit ang election period, titignan natin yung security environment,” Maranan told reporters at Camp Crame in Quezon City.</p><p>“Historically, ang Central Luzon ay talagang may mga intense political rivalry. May mga violent incidents din na nangyari noong nakaraang election, kaya ang mga lugar na iyon ay ating tinututukan at kasama rin sa ni-recommend natin for further monitoring. Dinadagdagan natin ang resources natin na nandun kasama ang pagdagdag sa mga pulis at ating logistical resources,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/6/ph-poll-body-begins-printing-of-first-batch-of-ballots-for-2025-elections-2141">PH poll body begins printing of first batch of ballots for 2025 midterm election</a></div><p>Maranan said the political situation in the region remained manageable.</p><p>&quot;Sa ngayon, ang ating political situation sa Region 3 ay manageable naman, although hindi naman maiiwasan na minsan may mga balita, ngunit ‘yan ay patuloy nating bina-validate,” he noted.</p><div> <strong>PRIVATE ARMED GROUP</strong></div><p> Maranan said he directed all police units in Central Luzon to intensify their operations against private armed groups (PAGs) and loose firearms.</p><p>There is only one remaining private armed group in the region. Authorities were keeping an eye on the group, which is said to be operating in Nueva Ecija, he said. </p><p>“Sa region 3, nitong last quarter ng 2024, nakabuwag tayo ng 5 criminal gangs. May natitira na lang tayong isang private armed group na ating tinututukan. In the coming days, hopefully ma-neutralize na natin,” Maranan said.</p><p>“Itong PAG na ito ay nandoon sa Nueva Ecija at ating binabantayan at minomonitor ang kanilang mga galaw. Sa katunayan, nagdagag na tayo ng mahigit 200 pulis sa Nueva Ecija para malimitahan natin ang galaw ng PAG na ito,” he said.</p><p>“Patuloy ang ating paghahanda sa darating na election, particularly on January 12, kung saan magsa-start na ang election period. Tayo ay tumatalima sa kautusan ng CPNP na mas paigtingin pa ang police presence sa lahat ng mga lugar. Tayo sa PRO-3 ay naglagay ng 24/7 checkpoints. Siyempre, nakatuon ang pansin natin sa ating pagtalima sa mandato ng ating SILG na buwagin ang lahat ng criminal gangs at private armed groups,” he said.</p><p>Based on the data of the PRO-3, a total of 1,346 firearms were confiscated from October to December 2024.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/4/postpone-infra-social-projects-before-elections-comelec-says-they-ll-follow-the-law-1608">Postpone infra, social projects before #Halalan2025? Comelec says they&#x27;ll follow the law</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/4/comelec-saddened-by-politicians-who-post-ads-ahead-of-campaign-period-1435">&#x27;Hinay-hinay lang&#x27;: Comelec saddened by politicians who post ads ahead of campaign period</a></div>

<p>Twelve municipalities in Central Luzon were recommended to be placed under areas of concern for the midterm elections in May, a police official said on Tuesday.</p>

Twelve municipalities in Central Luzon were recommended to be placed under areas of concern for the midterm elections in May, a police official said on Tuesday.

PNP recommends placing 12 towns in Central Luzon under areas of concern

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Regions

PNP recommends placing 12 towns in Central Luzon under areas of concern

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 08, 2025 12:36 PM PHT

Read More:

Halalan 2025

2025 elections

midterm elections

areas of concern

Central Luzon

private armed groups

ANC promo

ABSNews

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.