While some candidates and their men are shooting it out in some parts of the country, supporters of politicians in some areas in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu opted to settle their differences in the old-fashioned way.

And considering that these two provinces are always perceived to be full of gun-slinging toughies and outlaws, the three incidents of politically-charged first fights reported among supporters of local candidates would somehow be classified as a really significant improvement.

In the election monitoring data released by the Climate Conflict Action Asia (CCAA), the only election-related incidents it monitored in Tawi-Tawi during the voting hours on Monday, May 12, was the fistfight between supporters of opposing parties in Barangay Kakoong Ungus Matata in Tandubas town.

In Sulu, a fistfight was reported in Parang town when supporters of mayoralty candidates argued over the presence of flying voters at around 9 a.m. on Monday.

Three hours later, another scuffle was monitored in Pata town also in Sulu.

While the three incidents were less violent compared to other election-related violence reported in other parts of Mindanao, CCAA executive director Francisco Lara, Jr. earlier said that it still a threat to the goal of orderly and credible elections as some voters may be discouraged to exercise their rights to suffrage due to fears of violence.

“While Basilan has seen fatal ambushes and firefighting, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi reported politically charged fistfights among rival supporters of local candidates, underscoring that no province is immune to the atmosphere of violence,” the CCAA said in a statement released through the Boto Bangsamoro election-monitoring platform.

“As ballots are cast, voters face the stark choice between exercising their right to vote and preserving their personal safety,” it added.

Violence and logistical breakdowns 

The CCAA, citing ground reports from its Critical Events Monitoring System (CEMS), reported armed coercion, intimidation, and logistical breakdowns in various parts of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on election day.

In Maguindanao del Sur, the group said the province remains the deadliest spot since October with violent incidents reported in the towns of Buluan, Shariff Aguak, Pandag, and Rajah Buayan. 

“These areas—longstanding strongholds of opposition clans—have seen fierce clashes between UBJP and rival families, as some ex-BIAF (Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces) commanders have been reported to have shifted allegiances in the lead up to the elections.

In Maguindanao del Norte, the group monitored incomplete ballot deliveries, barricades by UBJP supporters demanding military and police as BEIs, and continued postponements of voting.  UBJP stands for United Bangsamoro Justice Party and is identified with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

In Cotabato City, riots, wooden-club arrests, and vote-tampering were recorded while stone-throwing mobs at polling sites; and warning shots by security forces in Bayang, Sagonsongan, and Buadapiso-Buntong in Lanao del Sur.

The CCAA has recorded 237 deaths in BARMM since the filing of certificate of candidacy in October last year, including 19 deaths since May 1 this year.