Four individuals were confirmed killed while 11 others were injured in at least 15 election-related violent incidents that were monitored by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) nationwide.
Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP spokesperson, said that the poll-related violent incidents were recorded from 10 p.m. Sunday to 2 p.m. Monday.
“Today we have recorded about 15 election-related violent incidents. It’s a series of different incidents such as shooting, explosion, and the likes. Generally, what’s important is the AFP and PNP have laid out the security measures and we’re able to react immediately to these situations,” Zagala said in a security press briefing with the Commission on Elections at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Monday night, May 9.
The deadliest attack happened in Buluan, Maguindanao where three members of a Barangay Peace Action Team (BPAT) were killed and another one was hurt in a shooting incident that was perpetrated by unknown assailants around 8 a.m. Monday.
Meanwhile, another individual was killed and four others were injured in a shooting incident just outside the Malabang National High School in Malabang, Lanao del Sur while polls were ongoing on Monday morning.
Another shooting incident occurred in Malabang, Lanao del Sur but nobody got hurt there, the military said.
Two explosions were recorded by the military – one in Kabacan, North Cotabato and the other in Mangudadatu, Maguindanao – although there were no casualties in both incidents.
In Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, unknown assailants lobbed a grenade along the roadside in Brgy. Pag-asa but it did not explode.
There were two ambushes perpetrated by unknown suspects – one in Mangudadatu, Maguindanao where a civilian was hurt and another in Pandag, Maguindanao where nobody got injured.
Meanwhile, two armed clashes were recorded by the authorities – one in Pandag town and one in Talitay town both in Maguindanao. No casualty was noted in both incidents.
In Basilan, two strafing incidents were logged by the military – one in Sumisip town and one in Tapoan Island where five civilians were wounded.
Unidentified men also attempted to snatch a ballot box in Tipotipo, Basilan but it did not go well for the suspects since the ballot was recovered by the authorities as they ran away.
Two indiscriminate firing incidents were also recorded Basilan – one in Tabuan Lasa town where there was no casualty and another one in Tipo-tipo town where armed men tried to snatch a ballot but did not succeed.
Zagala said the 15 poll-related violent incidents were lower compared to the 16 incidents that were recorded in the 2019 midterm elections.
“It’s still a good and low number. We hope it continues to be low,” he said.
“Overall, the security situation is good in terms of our people being able to vote and the continuity of the electoral process. That’s our job, the AFP and PNP, so that the people will feel secured,” he added.