Col. Jean Fajardo, Philippine National Police spokesperson and public information office chief, holds a press briefing in Baguio City on Nov. 10, 2023. (File photo by FAITH ARGOSINO / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — This year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) are poised to be the most violent village polls in the past 13 years, according to the latest data from the Philippine National Police.
In a press conference in Baguio City on Friday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said since the start of the election period on Aug. 28 until Nov. 9, from the total of 305 violent occurrences recorded, 96 were confirmed to be election-related incidents (ERIs).
These validated ERIs led to the killing of 26 persons and the wounding of 96 others.
The figure was 174.3 percent higher than the 35 confirmed ERIs recorded during election day on Oct. 30.
This year’s figure was almost equal to the 97 validated ERIs recorded during the 2010 village polls. It would most likely surpass it since 13 suspected ERIs are still under probe and two more weeks to go before the election period ends on Nov. 29.
Highest in BARMM
This year’s number broke the declining trend of the ERIs in the past three BSKE. In 2010 there were 97 ERIs, in 2013 there were 57 and in 2018, it was down to 40 ERIs.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has the highest number of validated ERIs at 55; followed by Northern Mindanao with 14; six in Eastern Visayas; five in Cordillera; four in Bicol; three each in Ilocos and Central Visayas; and one each in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Soccsksargen, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
The majority of the verified ERIs involved shooting, mauling, and physical injury.
Meanwhile, the police arrested 2,211 individuals and confiscated 1,689 firearms in relation to the election gun ban being implemented until Nov. 29.
A total of 2,425 firearms were also deposited to the PNP for safekeeping while 1,785 were surrendered.
Earlier, despite the poll-related disturbances in Basilan province, the church-based poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said the 2023 BSKE was “generally peaceful” nationwide.
The PPCRV based their observations on 200,000 volunteers all over the country.