At least 29 election-related violent incidents have been reported since the start of the filing of certificate of candidacy for the May 12 midterm elections, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Erwin Garcia said on Monday, March 4.

In an interview after a conference with officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Garcia said the 29 violated incidents were already confirmed to be election-related while around 12 to 15 others are still subject for validation.

“From the start of the filing of certificate of candidacy in October (last year) to March 1,they recorded 29 election-related violence… most of them were in Bangsamoro (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao),” said Garcia.

Garcia said the meeting with PNP officials was aimed at assessing the security situation nationwide and to identify if there are loopholes in the implementation of the election security.

Included in the discussions were the recent incidents of gun attacks in BARMM areas. 

Based on the PNP data, there are 38 areas of concern and Garcia said the figure may change due to the recent developments in some parts of the country, mostly in Mindanao.

“We are looking into some loopholes and some adjustments because there is a high possibility of changes in the categorization, the classification of areas in different parts of the country because of the recent incidents of violence,” said Garcia.

“With these recent incidents of violence, it appears that the 38 areas of concerns on the list may change,” he added.

In January this year, both the Comelec and the PNP earlier reported that there are 38 areas under Red Category, which means there is a high threat of election violence and that the areas are being considered to be under Comelec control.

A total of 188 of are under Yellow category which means the towns or cities have a history of election-related incidents in the last two elections and that there is a possibility of election-related violent incidents due to history of private armed groups or election violence while 177 are under the Orange category which means there are serious armed threats.

Garcia said they expect to have a clear picture of the real situation on the ground once police units submit their respective reports. He said at least six regions are yet to submit the security situation update.

Currently, Garcia said the PNP is focusing on intensified security measures against private  armed groups and loose firearms. 

Based on the latest data, a total of 1.398 persons were arrested for gun ban violation while a total of 1,422 firearms were confiscated.