LAMITAN CITY, Basilan Province — Police and military authorities have adopted heightened security status to at least five villages in this city and two in Akbar town in the province ahead of the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on 30 October.

Lamitan City Police director P/Lt Col. Arlan Delumpines on Sunday said that the five villages in this city are now being carefully monitored by his office for the upcoming polls and identified the villages as Simbangon, Ubit, Campo Uno, Parangbasak, Balas and Maganda.

He added that the villages of Simbangon, Ubit and  Maganda were classified as "red" or areas of great concern due to  having an intense political rivalry for the barangay chairmanship post.

Delumpines disclosed that candidates for barangay chiefs were all aggressive as all of them wanted to become the village head.

Meantime, police are also eyeing the village of Balas after they received reports that the village is coddling wanted persons who may be used to spoil a peaceful poll.

In Akbak town, the villages of Linungan and Semut is considered the  home of most family feud in the province and criminals.

Delumpines said that the Philippine National Police will strictly enforce all prohibited acts during the entire 90-day election period as enumerated under the Omnibus Election Code and Resolution 10902 approved by the Commission on Elections.

The filing for certificates of candidacy kicked off on 28 August which also marked the start of the election period in which carrying firearms or deadly weapons in public places is prohibited unless authorized in writing by the Comelec.