MANILA — Eight more towns in Batangas have been added to the list of election areas of concern due to escalating political tensions, bringing the total to 11 towns and one city now under close watch by authorities.

The new areas of concern include Bauan, San Pascual, Mabini, Lobo, San Nicolas, Taysan, Ibaan, and Nasugbu, Batangas police public information officer Maj. Eduardo Timbol II said.

“Ito po ay based on our concerns dahil medyo nagkakainitan po on the ground because of the current political situation. Medyo intense po ang rivalry ngayon  ng political candidates,” Timbol said.

The towns of San Jose, Mataasnakahoy, Taal, and Tanauan City were earlier classified as areas of concern.

On the last day of the campaign on Saturday, police were forced to form a human barricade to prevent conflict when the motorcades of two rival candidates running for mayor and congressman crossed paths in Bauan, Batangas.

“Talaga lang po nagkasalubong yung caravan o yung  motorcade ng dalawang political candidates kaya to make sure na hindi na po magkainitan. Yun lang naman po ang iniiwasan natin nag-form na po ng human barricade ang ating kapulisan lahat po ng dadaanan ng caravan ng candidates po natin,” Timbol added. 

A total of 2,048 police officers were deployed to police precincts and Commission on Elections (Comelec) checkpoints across the province.

In addition, 748 officers from the Calabarzon police headquarters were sent to Batangas to help ensure a peaceful and orderly election.

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