Negros Occidental: There is no threat so far against 737 local candidates who underwent assessment by the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) in connection with the May 12 elections. Capt. Judesses Catalogo, NOCPPO public information officer, said on Tuesday that they have not received requests for police security.

According to Philippines News Agency, candidates must submit requests for police security before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) if they arise. “It will be accorded with response. What the Philippine National Police does is assess the threat. If there is a possibility of an impending threat to an individual during the election period, an investigation will be conducted,” Catalogo stated.

The deployment of security officers for the midterm elections was discussed during the Provincial Joint Security Control Center coordinating conference on Jan. 11. Catalogo mentioned that some areas will be manned by the Philippine Army and the Philippine Coast Guard, with the latter monitoring polling precincts in small islands and those situated along coastlines.

“There was no discussion on a change in the level of security. We are all under the green category. We have no areas of concern in Negros Occidental,” he added. Local government units under the green category are considered areas with no election-related security concerns.

Throughout the election period, from Jan. 12 to June 11, a gun ban is imposed nationwide, except for security forces and other individuals declared as exempted, among them prosecutors and judges.