Yellow Alert: Central Visayas Cities Under Election Security Clampdown, May 12, 2025
Election security in Mandaue, Cebu City bolstered in upcoming polls
Over a dozen localities in Central Visayas, mainly in Cebu and Bohol, will be under increased security for the May 12, 2025 elections due to past political tensions. The polling stations in these areas will be heavily guarded by over 700 police personnel stationed across Mandaue City to safeguard a trouble-free election day.
According to the Mandaue City Police Office, additional checkpoints will be set up during the day to prevent unauthorized individuals or potential troublemakers from entering the city.
As per Police Lt. Col. Franco Villaro, these measures are vital in ensuring the safety and security of the citizens during the elections.
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These precautions are based on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) list of identified areas in Central Visayas that fall under the yellow category. This decision has been made following assessments by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in light of political tension[1].
According to the Comelec-Central Visayas Regional Director Francisco Pobe, potential hotspots for election meddling include Cebu City, Mandaue City, and various municipalities in Cebu Province like Daanbantayan, Argao, Balamban, San Fernando, Dalaguete, Dumanjug, as well as San Miguel, Buenavista, Trinidad, Ubay, Inabanga, Tubigon, and Tagbilaran City in Bohol.
Pobe stated that the placement of a single location under the yellow category is not cause for concern as long as the peacekeeping presence of police and military forces is maintained throughout the city.
Security measures within Cebu City have been adjusted in preparation for the elections[2]. As per Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, deputy city director for operations at the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), there's a standard deployment of police personnel for all polling centers. However, the situation in the city requires more police presence in certain areas due to past instances of voter manipulation.
Macatangay revealed that their analysis led them to deploy more police officers in barangays and areas with a history of voter manipulation in past elections.
The security of the entire Cebu City Hall, especially the canvassing area, has also been strengthened for the duration of the elections. "Keeping the election day safe or the days leading up to the election safe, secure, peaceful, and orderly, we will escalate our police presence and intelligence monitoring to ensure no foul play or crime," Macatangay stated.
There's no evidence indicating the involvement of private armed groups or criminal organizations in interfering with the electoral process for the benefit of political candidates. Nevertheless, the CCPO remains vigilant, as they fear potential criminals may try to manipulate the situation for their own agenda.
Intelligence monitoring will be intensified on the day of the election to maintain public safety and ensure a smooth voting process. "In line with preserving the election's integrity, we will heighten our police presence and intelligence monitoring in the vicinity to prevent any potential fraud or crime," concluded Macatangay.
Overall, the increased security measures are not a cause for alarm as the current situation in Cebu City remains peaceful. No significant election-related incidents have been reported that could undermine the public's trust[2]. Macatangay reassured the public that their goal is to maintain peace and order in the city by ensuring a trouble-free and secure voting experience for the people of Cebu.
- The central Visayas cities, including Cebu and some municipalities in Cebu Province, have been identified as potential hotspots for election meddling in the May 12, 2025 elections, as per the Comelec-Central Visayas Regional Director Francisco Pobe.
- In Cebu City, the security measures have been adjusted and more police presence is required in certain areas due to past instances of voter manipulation, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, deputy city director for operations at the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).
- As part of the increased security for the elections, over 700 police personnel will be stationed across Mandaue City to safeguard a trouble-free election day, according to the Mandaue City Police Office.
- Additional checkpoints will be set up during the day to prevent unauthorized individuals or potential troublemakers from entering the city, as per the Mandaue City Police Office.
- The security of the entire Cebu City Hall, especially the canvassing area, has been strengthened for the duration of the elections, as stated by Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay.
- The CCPO remains vigilant, as they fear potential criminals may try to manipulate the situation for their own agenda, despite no evidence indicating the involvement of private armed groups or criminal organizations in interfering with the electoral process for the benefit of political candidates.
