MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA) — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC)-10 reports that the provincial political landscape is classified as green, indicating a peaceful area.
During the Kapihan sa PIA, COMELEC-10 Assistant Regional Election Director Maria Dulce Cuevas-Banzon said, “Misamis Oriental is very lucky because it’s all in the green category. So, it means that Misamis Oriental has no problem.”
The color-coding scheme identifying election hotspots cites green as peaceful areas, yellow for areas of concern, orange for areas of immediate concern, and red for areas of grave concern.
However, the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) of Misamis Oriental is not taking chances and issues Resolution No. 1, Series of 2025.
The PJSCC of Misamis Oriental signed “A Resolution Recommending for the Classification of Areas of Concern for the Province of Misamis Oriental” as it convened, January 9, to assess and determine security measures for the upcoming electoral period.
In line with Section 341 of Resolution No. 10924 by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the PJSCC has officially put certain areas in Misamis Oriental into certain security categories to make sure the elections go smoothly and safely.
Based on security assessments, intelligence reports, and other relevant factors, the PJSCC has classified 21 barangays in Misamis Oriental under the Yellow Category.
The Yellow Category, as identified by the members of the 58th IB Philippine Army, is found to be associated with the presence of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists (CNTs) and is designated for areas with a history of potential threats from armed groups.
For that reason, the suggested classification could be changed based on current events and after consulting with the relevant units, which are directly overseen and controlled by the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC).
According to PCol Wilbur M. Salaguste, provincial director of Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office (MORPPO), this classification serves as a proactive measure to enhance security monitoring and deployment in these areas.
“It is a product of close coordination between the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other key agencies, reflecting our united stand against any threats that may compromise the election process,” said Salaguste.
Salaguste stated that the resolution is a strong step toward a safe, secure, and organized election process. It also protects the integrity of the upcoming elections and shows a firm commitment to stepping up security, stepping up law enforcement operations, and making sure that all election laws and rules are strictly followed.
“We stand firm in our duty to protect the will of the people and ensure a smooth, credible, and transparent electoral process,” Salaguste said.
The MORPPO and COMELEC urge the public to remain vigilant and report any illegal activities, as the full cooperation of the community is crucial in the continuous fight against illegal activities. (SAYU/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)
