A total of 34 areas nationwide are now considered as election hotspots leading to the May 2025 national and local polls, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito ‘Jonvic’ Remulla stated on Thursday, Jan. 16.
In a statement, Remulla pointed out that 27 of the identified 34 election hotspots are in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) “following the first and highly contested autonomous election in the said region.’’
“Areas of concern under BARMM, very contested. First time nila magkakaroon ng Autonomous election, (First time an autonomous election will be held), so that’s very contested,” Remulla noted.
Remulla said that the other election hotspots include two areas in Eastern Visayas, and four in Luzon.
As part of security measures for the May 12 polls, Remulla noted that 6,327 checkpoints are now strategically positioned nationwide where 86 firearms have already been confiscated since the start of the election gun ban on Jan. 12.
Remulla pointed out that 33 of the 86 firearms were confiscated at various checkpoints, 10 were from buy-bust operations, 39 were seized during police response operations, and three were taken while serving active warrants.
The DILG chief assured the public that he will be stationing additional police units in these hotspot areas to ensure the viability and integrity of the 2025 midterm election.