BACOLOD CITY - The number of election watchlist areas (EWAs) in Negros Occidental could still go up during the local campaign period, especially in localities with intense political rivalries. As of Tuesday, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) reported 18 EWAs in the province as security preparations continue before the start of the 45-day campaign period for local candidates on March 25. Lt. Abegael Donasco, the spokesperson of NOCPPO, said the plan to secure all candidates are being put in place. "As the election nears, we will be expecting some addition in red areas, where there are intense political rivalries. We're hoping though there will be lesser areas under yellow and orange categories," Donasco said in a virtual press briefing. The EWAs in Negros Occidental include Don Salvador Benedicto, which is under Category Yellow; and the cities of Silay, Victorias, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, and Sipalay as well as the municipalities of Binalbagan, Manapla, Cauayan, Hinobaan, Ilog, Isabela, La Castellana, and Toboso, which are all listed under Category Orange. Those under Category Red are Escalante City, Calatrava, Moises Padilla, and Candoni. Areas under Category Yellow are considered areas of concern, or with a history of election-related incidents in the last elections, possible employment of partisan armed groups, the occurrence of politically motivated election-related incidents, and had been previously declared under the Comelec control. Category Orange refers to areas of immediate concern, where there is a serious armed threat while those under Category Red are tagged as areas of grave concern, which exhibit combined factors under Category Yellow and with serious armed threats that it may warrant the motu proprio (on its own) declaration of Commission on Elections control. On Monday, Provincial Election Supervisor Roberto Salazar also said it is possible there could be more EWAs, depending on the developments during the campaign period. He reminded candidates running for various local positions to ensure the peaceful staging of the May 9 elections. "Our reminder to them, 'let's keep it peaceful'. We will try to make it peaceful. The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police are here. This is a whole government approach, not even just government, but this involves the whole community," Salazar told reporters. Local candidates, including those vying for the positions as members of the House of Representatives as well as provincial, city, and municipal officials, are allowed to campaign until May 7. (PNA) }