The Commission on Elections (Comelec) released on March 19 an updated list of election hotposts for the 2025 midterm elections.
Red areas or places where there are serious armed threats and other election-related security issues have decreased from 38 to 36. The Comelec released the first list on January 9.
Most are still located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), with 30 of its towns listed under the red category. Lanao del Sur province accounts for 20 of these areas.
The remaining areas are spread across Cagayan, Bicol, Negros Island, Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao.
Other areas of concern are classified as “yellow” or “orange,” depending on the risk factors present. Places without existing security threats are considered “green” areas.
The Comelec assessed these classifications in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Areas identified as relatively peaceful have increased slightly. A closer look, however, reveals that some regions have seen a rise in the number of hotspot areas.
In the Zamboanga Peninsula, 50% of the towns are now classified as areas of concern. While red areas remain at zero, 11 towns that previously had no security issues have been reclassified under the yellow or orange categories.
Meanwhile, almost 90 percent of all BARMM towns and cities are now considered as areas of concern up from over 80 percent in January.
In Negros Island, two towns have been classified as red areas. In January, all of its towns fell under the green, yellow, or orange categories. The number of peaceful areas has also decreased.
The poll body has the power to “direct the augmentation of AFP and PNP personnel” in the all identified areas of concern if needed, according to Comelec Resolution No. 11067.
Towns under category red, in particular, can be placed under Comelec control.