The Commission on Election will initiate the signing of peace covenants among candidates in the May 14 synchronized elections, in every political district of Negros Occidental, at the start of the campaign period in March.

Provincial Comelec supervisor Jessie Suarez yesterday said this had also been done in previous elections.

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

The signing of peace covenants is among the pre-emptive actions recommended by Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, to the Comelec, in a bid to ensure honest, orderly and peaceful elections in Negros Occidental.

Both Franco and Suarez, however, said they have not monitored any report of politicians maintaining private armed groups although they admit that insurgents pose a threat to the conduct of elections on May 14.

Seventy-two of the 600 barangays in Negros Occidental have also been categorized by the police as insurgency-affected areas.

The 111 barangays categorized as "areas of concerns" are located in the cities of San Carlos, Talisay, Silay, Cadiz, Victorias, La Carlota, Kabankalan, Sagay, Escalante, towns of Murcia, Salvador Benedicto, Binalbagan, Isabela, Moises Padilla, San Enrique, Candoni, Cauayan, Ilog, Toboso, E.B. Magalona and Calatrava.

The police is expecting intense political rivalries in Pulupandan town.

Suarez, who presided yesterday over the joint Comelec-PNP-AFP conference at the Capitol, said the Army will no longer be utilized in poll duties, except in the conduct of patrols and maintenance of peace and order.

He also briefed local police and Army commanders on the proper conduct of checkpoints, which no longer needs the presence of a Comelec personnel.

The Negros Occidental police is also organizing "Task Force Black Lion", headed by Supt. Flomar Natuel, deputy provincial police director, to supervise police operations during pre-and post election periods.*GPB

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