The race for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan posts is getting more heated, with the Philippine National Police recording 24 deaths in election-related violence in 7,915 “election hot spots” across the country since April 14, when the poll period began, and up until five days before the political exercise is held on Monday.
In a joint press conference with the Department of the Interior and Local Government at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, on Thursday, PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. John Bulalacao said that as of May 9, a total of 20 suspected and validated election-related incidents have been reported nationwide, resulting in the deaths of 24 people and the wounding of six others.
Of those killed, 13 were elected government officials, three were candidates, one was a former elected official, one government appointee and six civilians, the PNP said. — JAYMEE GAMIL