Manila, Feb. 5 -- The Commission on Elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Comelec-BARMM) has classified 103 towns in the region as "areas of concern" for the May 2025 midterm elections, an official announced Wednesday.

Comelec-BARMM Director Ray Sumalipao said the list includes 32 towns under the red category, 49 in the yellow category, and 22 in the orange category.

"This number may increase or decrease depending on our regular assessment and evaluation results," Sumalipao said in a statement, adding that ongoing peace efforts and security measures could help reduce the number.

The classifications are based on security threats and past election-related violence: --Red category - areas with serious armed thr...