PNP: Validated poll-related incidents ahead of May 9 polls ‘way lower’ than 2016

COMELEC CHECKPOINT Policemen from Marikina City conduct a checkpoint near Tumana Bridge, April 4, 2022. Comelec checkpoints are set up to implement the poll body’s gun ban and enforce stricter security during the election period. | INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has so far recorded 14 validated election-related incidents this year, lower than the 133 reported during the 2016 national elections.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said 14 validated election-related incidents have been recorded as of May 4.

This is lower than the 133 validated election-related incidents recorded in 2016 as well as the 60 validated election-related incidents in the 2019 midterm elections, said Fajardo.

“If we compare the 14 validated election-related incidents as of May 4, this is way below the recorded validated election incidents in 2016 which recorded 133 validated election-related incidents. In 2019, we recorded 60 validated election incidents,” Fajardo said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Friday.

“So we are hoping that the 14 recorded validated election incidents as of May 4 will not increase as we see the coming May 9 elections,” she added.

The low number of validated election-related incidents, Fajardo said, is a “good development on the part of the security forces.”

“If you see the breakdown of the incidents, the majority of the incidents are only minor incidents comprising of grave threats, life threats, and some physical injuries,” Fajardo said.

“We are hoping that the security coverage laid down by security forces will be effective in monitoring these incidents and we will not be foreseeing any violent election-related incidents three days prior to the conduct of elections this coming Monday,” she added.

/MUF