PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the national and local elections held yesterday were “very peaceful,” except in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Marbil was referring to an incident that happened on Sunday in Basilan, which left four persons dead.
Basilan is one of the provinces composing BARMM.
“The rest, (except BARMM), we see very peaceful elections … It’s very peaceful,” Marbil told reporters at around 1 p.m. yesterday,
In a statement released by the PNP last night, Marbil said the elections were “generally peaceful” without any major incident.
“We stood firm and followed the President’s directive. The Filipino people deserve nothing less than a peaceful and honest election,” he said.
“We did not allow any force to interfere with the voice of the nation. We were ready, we were vigilant, and we delivered,” Marbil said
The PNP said there were technical and logistical issues, including malfunction of automated counting machines and delayed opening of precincts but these did not undermine the conduct of the elections.
“This success is not just about keeping the peace today — it’s about defending the right of every Filipino to choose their leaders freely and without fear. We will remain vigilant until the last vote is secured and the true will of the people is fully respected,” said Marbil.
Col. Randulf Tuaño, chief of the PNP Public Information Office, said, “As to our initial assessment as of this afternoon, generally we can say it’s (elections) is generally peaceful.”
“This is in line with the directive of President Bongbong Marcos for us to ensure security preparations are in place until the (vote) counting is fished,” he said in a press briefing at 5 p.m. yesterday.
Tuaño also said the PNP recorded 12 election-related incidents “and we would like to say that these are isolated incidents.”
Citing information from the PNP directorate for operations, Tuaño said there were 46 validated election-related incidents (ERIs) since the election period began on January 12.
He said 31 other incidents are classified as suspected ERIs, which are subject to validation to determine if they are indeed related to elections.
Thirty-four other incidents, earlier reported as suspected ERIs, have been determined to be not related to the polls.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said there were fewer cases of election-related violence (ERVs) reported in the midterm elections compared to the last two national and local elections.
“When it comes to election-related violence, more or less, we have 44. It’s still the lowest in the three elections we have,” Garcia said in a press conference, adding there were 128 cases in 2019 and 120 cases in 2022.
“If that is the basis, then perhaps the election is peaceful,” he added.
Garcia also noted that only two areas were placed under Comelec control Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte and Buluan in Maguindanao del Sur.
Also, 34 areas were placed under the Areas of Concern – Red Category ahead of Election Day.
“Compared to previous elections, it would really appear to be lowest,” he said.
Nevertheless, the Comelec head said they still view the ERVs as “not acceptable.”
“Regardless if it is lower, greater, or the same number of election-related violence, still, there was violence,” he said.
“Therefore, an election marred by violence is, to us, not acceptable,” he added.
Marbil said the PNP is not planning to deploy additional policemen to BARMM, noting that “we have already put so many people, resources on the ground.”
Marbil also said police operatives seized numerous loose firearms across the country.
He said the PNP also received reports of vote-buying in some areas.
VIOLENT INCIDENTS
In the Sunday incident, supporters of two opposing candidates clashed in Hadji Muhammad Ajul, Basilan.
The military initially reported two deaths from the encounter in Barangay Langil Island. Yesterday, it said four people died in the incident.
Several other election-related violent incidents were reported in other BARMM areas yesterday.
In Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan, three members of an armed group died after a clash with policemen conducting seaborne patrol at 1:45 a.m., the AFP Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said.
Westmincom spokesman Col. J-jay Javines said Hadji Muhtamad policemen approached the group, composed of eight men who later opened fire. The policemen returned fire, killing three of the suspects. Two others were captured.
Javines said authorities later learned that the suspects were supporters of a former mayor, referring for former Mayor Jamar Mansul who is running for mayor.
Javines said all precincts in BARMM area “opened despite some incidents like in Datu Odin Sinsuat (in Maguindanao del Norte) where the transportation of our ACMs (automated counting machines) was blocked.”
Police said supporters of a vice mayoral candidate in the town held a protest rally to request the tapping of police as election officers, delaying the transport of election paraphernalia to polling centers.
Asked if there are other incidents reported in the western Mindanao area, Javines said, “There are shooting incidents that led to deaths, particularly in the area of ZamPeLan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao provinces), there were commotions, fistfight. There were reports of such incidents in some areas.”
In Lanao del Sur, a candidate for councilor in Bayang town and his companion were shot dead in Barangay Rinabor in the town at 7:40 a.m.
Police said candidate Afganie Balt Taha and his companion Walid Balt Taha were walking towards a polling center when a suspect confronted and shot them.
Concerned citizens brought the victims to the hospital but they were declared dead on arrival.
The suspect fled and is currently the subject of manhunt operation.
2 DEAD IN SILAY CITY
In Silay City in Negros Occidental, two died persons died and seven others were injured in a shooting incident.
A report from Negros Occidental police identified the suspect as Arnie Benedicto, barangay chairman of Barangay Lantad, also in Silay City.
The incident occurred in Barangay Mambulac, in front of the campaign headquarters of Grupo Asenso, which is associated with mayoral candidate Mark Golez.
The suspect, on board a van, reportedly opened fire at the victims and later fled.
The incident led to the death of Ronnie Piedad and Albert Salimbot and wounding of Ruel Espinosa, Ric Ortillano, Wilfredo Cuello, Jason Belleza, Joey Pomares, Glenn Gutierrez, and Ginray Guitche.
Negros Island region police spokesperson Lt. Col. Lt. Joem Malong said the barangay chairman involved in the shooting and killing of two people in in front of the campaign headquarters of Grupo Asenso has surrendered.
Two other suspects remain at large, said Malong.
CONFRONTATION
Zamboanga Peninsula police spokesperson Maj. Shiela Chang said one died and another was injured following a confrontation between supporters of opposing candidates in Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur.
Citing sketchy reports, BARMM police spokesperson Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura said two died and three others were injured in Tabuan-Lasa, Basilan.
Ventura also said 68 flying voters were arrested in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur. Two grenades and “deadly weapons” were seized from some of the suspects.
In Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, supporters of a vice mayoral candidate held protest rally to request authorities to tap policemen as members of the Special Electoral Board.
The protest delayed the transportation of election paraphernalia to some 104 polling centers, said Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, spokesperson of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police regional office.
“The situation was later resolved … Their request … was approved,” Ventura told an online briefing at around 11 a.m. yesterday.
Ventura also reported that 20 male individuals were apprehended in Cotabato City after they opened fire at patrolling security forces yesterday.
In New Correla, Davao del Norte, supporters of two opposing candidates traded fire, leaving two people injured, said Davao region spokesperson Maj. Catherine Dela Rey.
Two others were arrested, said Dela Rey.
In Bangued, Abra, two persons were injured in a shooting incident some 200 meters from a polling center, said Lt. Col. Carolina Lacuata, spokesperson of the Cordillera Administrative Region police.
Lacuata said people at the polling center panicked as they heard the gunfire.
Lacuata also said poll watchers of a political party shaded ballots of some voters. She said troops intervened and stopped the authorized activity.
“As of now, the situation is now okay, the voting resumed,” said Lacuata.
In Albay, a 65-year-old man died of heart attack after casting his vote in Oas town, said Bicol police spokesperson Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib.
