MANILA, Philippines — A total of 16 violent incidents believed to be related to the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections were reported and recorded on Monday, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
PNP Acting Deputy Director for Operations Brig. Gen. Chito Bersaluna said that of these 16 suspected election-related incidents, 10 happened within the voting hours from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Two of the 10 incidents were mauling cases monitored in Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), two physical injuries in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao), one malicious mischief in the Cordillera Administrative Region, and one incident involved harassment of deployed personnel in Region 12 (Soccsksargen).
A case of hacking and illegal campaigning was reported in the Calabarzon region, light threat in Region 5 (Bicol Region), and one vote-buying and selling in Metro Manila.
“Generally peaceful”
“Based on our initial assessment as of 3 p.m. or the closing of the voting hours, the conduct of 2023 BSKE nationwide is generally peaceful; no major incidents recorded so far that compromise the integrity of the election,” Bersaluna said in a press briefing on Monday afternoon.
“Except for some minor cases of delay in the opening of polling precinct particularly in BARMM and Region 4B due to the delay in the delivery of election paraphernalia, power interruption in Oriental Mindoro, missing voters’ names in the list of registered voters, temporary suspension of voting process due to commotion particularly in Puerto Princesa, Palawan and withdrawal of teachers assigned as members of Electoral Boards in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Abra, and Kalinga,” the official added.
In the same press briefing, BARMM police director Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza said six shooting incidents happened in the region, which killed five persons and wounded 11 others.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said they are still validating which among these shooting incidents are poll-related but reported that the number of election-related violence recorded within the day increased from 31 to 35.
In addressing the poll-related incidents today, Bersaluna said they have deployed police personnel to areas with no teachers supposedly set to serve as electoral board members.
Additional troops were likewise deployed to BARMM, and an investigation has been launched in the areas where violent incidents occurred.