The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has identified 37 areas as potential election hot spots for the 2025 national and local elections.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed that 28 of these areas are in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), with others located in Leyte’s 3rd and 4th districts and Central Luzon.
Despite these findings, Remulla expressed confidence that the upcoming elections would not see significant disruptions.
In September, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Rommel Marbil directed commanders to begin identifying “election areas of concern” ahead of the 2025 polls.
This assessment follows recent incidents of violence targeting elected officials and candidates in various parts of the country.
One of the most recent cases occurred in Tantangan, South Cotabato, where a former barangay chairman running for vice mayor was shot dead on November 18.