Oriental Negros elections supervisor Manuel Advincula said he had finalized his recommendations to the Commission on Elections Central Office in Manila on the issue of whether to declare the first congressional district of the province as a "hotspot" Tuesday, but declined to divulge details.

The poll body had earlier ordered Advincula to provide it with a detailed report on the current political scenario in the district, which includes the city of Canlaon, and the towns of Manjuyod, Bindoy, Ayungon, Tayasan, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Guihulngan, and Vallehermoso. This was the recent ambush in La Libertad where seven people, including Aya Barangay Captain Lydio Baylon were killed, and in Canlaon where Jesus Lobresco, Jr., driver of Mayor Judith Cardenas was shot dead.

Both incidents were believed to be election-related but Advincula also declined to comment on the incidents.

In La Libertad, the five wounded were rushed to a hospital in Dumaguete for treatment but were later brought to Cebu for investigation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Police provincial director Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe had criticized the move saying there was no proper coordination between his office and the CIDG.

Advincula said he based his recommendations on intelligence and police reports and other sources on what is appropriate for the first district.

The first congressional race is hotly-contested by incumbent La Libertad Mayor Joselyn Limkaichong, former House Rep. Jerome Paras, Olive Paras, the wife of incumbent and last-termer Rep. Jacinto Paras, and Danilo Roble.

Meanwhile, a dialog will be held today in Guihulngan with the local candidates in an apparent bid to quell the rising tension in the first district.

C/Supt. Silverio Alarcio, regional police director for Central Visayas, is spearheading the talk with Advincula, and police and military official.*JG

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