PNP logs 30 poll-related incidents ahead of BSKE 2023

Composite image of PNP logo and voters

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said 30 of the 151 violent incidents recorded by authorities since August 28 are related to the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE).

Information shared by PNP spokesperson and public information office chief Col. Jean Fajardo to reporters on Sunday indicated that the number of election-related incidents has climbed from 26 as of October 26 to 30 as of October 28.

It also showed that 33 incidents are suspected to be BSKE-related while the remaining 88 are verified to be not related to the October 30 polls.

READ: PNP: Almost 3,000 barangays flagged as security concerns for 2023 BSKE

The information from the PNP, however, did not include details about the locations or areas where the violent incidents happened.

The PNP earlier explained that a case could be classified as election-related when it involves a candidate and when it has a direct effect on the electoral proceedings or might have created political tensions within a certain barangay.

As for measures to ensure public security, the PNP said it has conducted 317,596 checkpoint operations from August 28 to October 27 in cooperation with with the Commission and Elections. The checkpoints intercepted 1,922 gun ban violators and 1,454 firearms as of 11:59 p.m., October 27.

READ: ‘Vote-buying’ in cash, health cards – even uses QR codes

The PNP likewise reported that from August 28 to October 27, its headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, confiscated 1,653 unlicensed firearms and received 2,325 firearms for safekeeping.

The PNP said arrested violators will face complaints for breaching the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits the unauthorized carrying or transporting of firearms and deadly weapons outside residences, businesses, and public places during an election gun ban.

For the 2023 BSKE, the gun ban would take effect from August 28 until November 29.