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 

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.

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.

The municipalities are located in Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga and Bulacan.

“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.

“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.

PH poll body begins printing of first batch of ballots for 2025 midterm election

Maranan said the political situation in the region remained manageable.

"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.

 PRIVATE ARMED GROUP

 Maranan said he directed all police units in Central Luzon to intensify their operations against private armed groups (PAGs) and loose firearms.

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. 

“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.

“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.

“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.

Based on the data of the PRO-3, a total of 1,346 firearms were confiscated from October to December 2024.

Postpone infra, social projects before #Halalan2025? Comelec says they'll follow the law
'Hinay-hinay lang': Comelec saddened by politicians who post ads ahead of campaign period