Tight security measures are in place in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, as voters participate in the first BARMM Parliamentary Elections on Monday, September 14. Hernel Tocmo
MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday maintained that the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) remained “generally peaceful,” despite several shooting and explosion incidents reported in parts of the region.
As of 11 a.m., the PNP recorded seven incidents: three shooting incidents in Basilan, Cotabato City and Maguindanao del Sur; three reported explosions in Cotabato City; and the recovery of an improvised explosive device in Basilan.
“Under control pa rin. In the majority of areas within BARMM, napaka-peaceful po ang nangyayari na electoral process. Nangyayari lamang na meron po ibang areas kaming mga isolated incidents like these,” PNP Public Information Office chief PCol. Allen Rae Co said.
“We are calibrating our response, and we will respond with force and the necessary intervention as the situation requires,” he added.
3 KILLED, 15 WOUNDED IN COTABATO
The most serious incident so far occurred in front of Datu Usman Mampen Elementary School in Cotabato City, where three people were killed and 15 others were wounded.
According to Co, the initial investigation showed that the incident could have stemmed from a heated argument.
“Initial investigation natin ay nagkaroon lang ng mainitang pagtatalo. May nagsasabi because of the queuing, pagpila lang, or other matters. We will be investigating,” he said.
Asked if the incident was election-related, Co said authorities were still validating the circumstances.
“Dahil kakapangyari lang, this is considered as suspected election-related incident, upon validation na lalabas. Most probably dahil election day doon sa school kung saan ginagawa, but we do not want to get ahead doon sa pag-validate,” he said.
COTABATO, MALUSO UNDER COMELEC CONTROL
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) placed Cotabato City and Maluso, Basilan under Comelec control following the security incidents and the discovery of pre-shaded ballots in Maluso.
Under Comelec rules, the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are directed to provide immediate personnel, equipment and transportation support as may be required by the special task force in areas placed under Comelec control.
This means the poll body assumes heightened supervision over the conduct of the elections in the affected areas, with the PNP and AFP providing the necessary security and operational support.
The PNP said it was ready to augment forces as needed.
98.14% OF PRECINCTS HAVE STARTED VOTING
Based on the PNP's latest monitoring, 98.14% of precincts have started the casting of votes.
Only 22 precincts in Basilan have yet to start voting.
Polls open in Bangsamoro after deadly shooting
Co said the delay could be due to election paraphernalia or other issues.
This comes as authorities discovered pre-shaded ballots in Maluso.
The Comelec said the issue was detected early enough to allow the affected ballots to be removed and replaced.
The PNP has yet to receive reports of vote-buying as of the latest briefing.
Meanwhile, the PNP said it has more than 1,700 trained personnel ready to take over in areas where teachers who were supposed to serve on electoral boards could not participate.
Co said the deployment is intended to ensure that the withdrawal or unavailability of teachers would not disrupt the voting process.
“Sila ang pupuwesto and kung may magde-develop, sila ang mag-act as members of the special electoral board,” he added.
Despite the isolated incidents, the PNP said it continues to monitor the situation and will adjust its security response depending on developments throughout the voting period.