At A Glance
- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Friday, Feb. 28, that there was an uptick in election-related violence in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
​The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Friday, Feb. 28, that there was an uptick in election-related violence in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Comelec Chairman George Garcia specifically said there was a "spike" in violence in the region, especially in Maguindanao and Cotabato, despite the fact that the Bangsamoro election had been suspended.
On Monday, Feb. 24, Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur Vice Mayor Datu Omar Samama, who is seeking reelection, was wounded after he was shot during a program in Barangay Magaslong.
Meanwhile, Garcia said Comelec wasn't monitoring any related violence in Luzon.
So far, there are 38 "areas of concern" under the red category—or those that have serious armed threats and a history of election-related incidents.
"We're hoping na wala naman ng malalagay sa Comelec control na kahit anong area (that no more areas will be placed under Comelec control)," Garcia said.
The official did not provide additional figures.