Mindanao ‘surprisingly peaceful’ – Albayalde

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Mindanao is “surprisingly peaceful,” with zero incident reported hotly contested areas, Philippine National Police Chief General Oscar Albayalde said here on Friday.

“You know (there is) zero incident (in Mindanao) since January. Zero election-related violent incident. It’s very surprising but as well as very commendable… because of the community cooperation,” Albayalde told reporters.

Albayalde was referring to areas in Soccsksargen (Region 12) and in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao listed as election hotspots.

Before he came to this city to inspect the election preparations of the PNP, Albayalde said he went first to Soccksargen areas and in the BARMM.

In BARMM areas, Albayalde saw the ratification of Bangsamoro Organic Law as the reason why peace and order has dramatically improved.

“Hopefully, tuloy-tuloy na ito (this will continue),” he said.

In Western Mindanao, he said some areas were being monitored due to intense political rivalries in Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte but he did not expect violence to erupt.

Albayalde said they hoped for a generally peaceful midterm election on Monday, May 13, noting that they were only 31 recorded election-related incidents nationwide, compared to 106 in 2016 and 94 in 2013.

Albayalde also reiterated his advice to policemen to “stay apolitical, stop complaining if the food is delayed and don’t expect extra or additional allowance in serving this election.” (Editor: Abe Cerojano)