MANILA, Philippines - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has named 15 provinces that are considered hot spots in the 2013 mid-term elections.

Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas said on Friday, November 16, that the election task group identified the following provinces as "high-risk" areas for violence:

• Abra
• Pangasinan
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Cagayan
• Pampanga
• Nueva Ecija
• Batangas
• Cavite
• Masbate
• Samar
• Misamis Occidental
• Maguindanao
• Lanao del Sur
• Basilan

These areas were identified by the Task Force SAFE (Secured and Fair Elections), headed by incoming Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima.

The provinces were chosen based on several factors, including the existence of private armed groups, threat groups, and history of election-related violence.

Roxas said police operations in the provinces will be intensified even before the start of the election season next year. - Rappler.com