PRO-3 recommends 12 Central Luzon towns as election hotspots

Twelve municipalities in Central Luzon have been recommended by Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3) director BGen. Redrico Maranan to be designated as areas of concern for the upcoming midterm elections in May.

The specific municipalities are located across Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga, and Bulacan, regions known historically for intense political rivalries and past violent incidents during elections.

Maranan emphasized that while the current political situation in Region 3 is manageable, there remains a need to validate any emerging issues as election day approaches.

In addition, PRO-3 has intensified operations against private armed groups (PAGs) and loose firearms, with only one remaining PAG being closely monitored in Nueva Ecija.

An additional 200 cops have been deployed in Nueva Ecija in an effort to neutralize the remaining private armed group.

The Philippine National Police will impose a nationwide gun ban beginning January 12, coinciding with the start of the official campaign period for the May elections.