PNP, AFP: Voting generally peaceful so far

PNP Chief, Director General Alan LM Purisima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Despite few recorded incidents of alleged election-related violence in different parts of the country, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines said the election process Monday was going well so far and was “generally peaceful.”

In Panglima Estino, Sulu, at least 1 person was killed and five others were wounded when unidentified men opened fire at a convoy carrying people who were on their way to cast their vote around 7:30 a.m.

In a separate case, a sub-village coordinator identified as Fernando Lopez, was wounded when he was shot by one Lucas Florentino in Barangay (village) Abra, Santiago City around 1:30 a.m.

Lopez was rushed to De Vera General Hospital, while the suspect escaped after the shooting.

Three spent shells from a caliber .45 and three live ammunition were recovered from the crime scene.

An explosion hit the house of village chief Ruben Pepania in Zamboanga Sibugay at 3:48 a.m., Chief Inspector Tolorio Huesca, region 9 police spokesman said.

The identities of the perpetrators and the motive for the attack were not yet known.

Still, Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo, PNP spokesman, and Brigadier General Domingo Tutaan, AFP spokesman, declared that the situation throughout the country was “generally peaceful.”

“People were able to go to polling centers and were able to cast their votes,” Tutaan said, adding that the incidents didn’t hamper the conduct of the midterm election process, and are “very isolated in nature.”

He also said authorities launched pursuit operations on armed groups.

For his part, PNP chief, Director General Alan Purisima expressed his confidence that this year’s balloting will be the most peaceful poll ever in the history of the Philippine elections.

“We share the outlook of our Comelec officials that the next 12 hours of voting today will be uneventful, orderly, and credible,” Purisima said.