Police have identified and categorized 111 of 600 barangays in Negros Occidental as "areas of concern" in the May 14 synchronized elections, because of sightings of armed insurgents or intense political rivalries.

Despite indications of intense political rivalries among mayoralty candidates, however, they can not employ armed bodyguards for use in election-related activities, Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, said yesterday.

Franco said he will also propose to Comelec the holding and signing of peace covenants among candidates in areas believed to have intense political rivalries. In his report to the Comelec, Franco also said 72 barangays, or 12 percent of the 600 Negros Occidental villages, are insurgency-affected areas.

Towns and cities in Negros Occidental expected by the police to have intense political rivalries are Himamaylan, Escalante, Cadiz, Victorias, E.B. Magalona,Pulupandan, Binalbagan, Moises Padilla, Isabela, Sipalay and Hinobaan.

Franco said he will organize "Task Force Black Lion", a rapid deployment force of Negros Occidental police, that will supervise police operations during pre-and post election periods.

Police records show that Calatrava topped the list for having the most number of areas of concern with 17, followed by Candoni and Victorias with nine each, and Escalante - 8.

Franco said he is also anticipating that the New People's Army will collect permit-to-campaign fees from politicians who may enter the so-called guerilla zones, and seek support for their party-list groups in Congress.

A place will be considered an area of concern if there is intense political rivalry, or presence of armed insurgents. However, if the two elements are present, the area may classify by the police as an immediate area of concern.

Franco said Negros Occidental cannot be considered an immediate area of concern.

Since the start of the election period on Jan. 14, Franco said they have conducted 148 checkpoints.

Two persons were arrested by the police for illegal possession of firearms and violation of Comelec, laws, and five unlicensed firearms were recovered.*GPB

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