The Philippine police said Tuesday that at least 600 cities and municipalities could become "hotspots or potential source of violence" in the coming senatorial and local elections in May.

According to data gathered from the Philippine National Police national headquarters in Camp Crame, about 50 places are classified "election areas of immediate concerns" while the rest are considered "election areas of concern."

Cities and towns are classified as "election areas of immediate concern" if they meet a number of parameters, including if 50 percent of their barangas (village or neighborhood) are infiltrated by leftwing guerrillas or partisan armed groups.

The other parameters include the occurrence of election-related violent incidents, the existence of intense partisan political rivalry in at least 70 percent of the total towns and cities, and the occurrence of incidents that can disrupt the electoral proceedings or create political tension that could upset the process in the immediate area and surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, some local and foreign businessmen have expressed their concern that economic development could be disrupted by electoral activities this year.

Source: Xinhua