Santos City: A lawmaker on Monday has sought for stricter laws to regulate firearms ownership and dismantle private armed groups to curb election-related violence. In his privilege speech during the plenary session, General Santos City Rep. Loreto Acharon said legislative action is necessary to ensure long-term electoral integrity.

According to Philippines News Agency, Acharon emphasized the need for appropriate legal frameworks specifically addressing firearms ownership and partisan armed groups. He warned that without these measures, efforts to reduce or eradicate election-related violence will remain uncoordinated and untenable. Acharon noted that while election-related incidents (ERIs) have generally declined from 2013 to 2022, they have become more violent during pre- and post-election periods.

He pointed out an emerging trend of smaller, more tactical armed groups used to intimidate voters and manipulate election outcomes. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has identified 403 areas of concern nationwide for the May mid-term elections. These include 38 areas under the ‘Red Category,’ which represent the highest security risk due to armed threats and histories of election-related violence. Another 1,239 areas are under the “Green Category,” meaning they have no election-related security concerns.

Acharon commended Comelec for its proactive designation of areas of concern, which he said would help guide the strategic deployment of security personnel and resources. He stated that the declaration of areas of concern is a preemptive step to guide Comelec and security forces in their preparations and strategic deployment of personnel and logistics before, during, and after elections.

He stressed the importance of maintaining vigilance in areas classified as relatively peaceful, warning that ‘green’ areas can quickly escalate to ‘red’ as election day approaches. He also lauded the activation of the National Election Monitoring Action Center and the establishment of Joint Security Control Centers to enhance coordination between Comelec, the Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.