MANILA - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recommended putting 9 provinces under the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) areas of concern.

The PNP tagged as election hotspots the following provinces:

• Abra
• Basilan
• Sulu
• Lanao del Sur
• Lanao del Norte
• Masbate
• Nueva Ecija
• Samar
• Maguindanao.

The PNP said it is updating its list of election hotspots so that it can deploy forces and resources properly.

PNP chief Jesus Verzosa said several factors are considered before an area is considered an election hotspot, including the history of election-related violent incidents in past elections, and the existence of intense political rivalry between contending parties. -- report from ANC