Leyte: The Philippine Army's 802nd Infantry Brigade is intensifying its vigilance in 12 areas across Leyte and Samar provinces, identified as election hotspots, ahead of the 2025 national and local elections. Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, the commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, emphasized the ongoing collaboration with the Philippine National Police to ensure the security of the May 12 midterm elections.

According to Philippines News Agency, a substantial number of government troops have been deployed to safeguard areas categorized under yellow and orange classifications. The yellow category includes regions with a history of election-related incidents and potential employment of private armed groups. Meanwhile, the orange category denotes areas facing serious armed threats, such as the presence of communist rebels.

The towns under the yellow category are Palompon, Villaba, Hilongos, Albuera, and Tabontabon in Leyte, along with Basey and Pinabacdao in Samar. The orange category, as determined by the Commission on Elections, includes the towns of Leyte, Calubian, San Isidro, Tabango, and Baybay City.

"We are ready to secure the conduct of the midterm elections in our area of operations, especially those areas placed under the yellow and orange categories of the Comelec. We also urged the community to stay away from the extortion, threats, and other illegal activities of the communist terrorist group. Report their presence to the authorities immediately," Vestuir stated in a recent announcement.

The brigade's jurisdiction includes the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran, as well as the southern parts of Samar and Eastern Samar provinces.