52 election-related violence incidents reported ahead of 2022 elections — PNP

A week before the May 9 elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has monitored a total of 52 reported incidents of election-related violence in the country, its spokesperson said Monday.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said 28 of the 52 incidents have been confirmed not related to the polls, while 14 are still under investigation.

“As of May 1, nakapagtala na po tayo ng 52 election-related incidents. Out of the 52 election-related incidents, 28 po doon ang validated non-election related incidents, while 14 po ang under investigation and suspected,” she said.

(As of May 1, we recorded 52 election related incidents, Out of the 52 election-related incidents, 28 po doon ang validated non-election related incidents, while 14 are under investigation and suspected as poll-related.)

Fajardo told GMA News that only 10 of the total reported incidents have been confirmed as election-related so far.

Four of the validated election-related incidents were from Ilocos Region, three from Zamboanga, and one each from Central Luzon, Northern Mindanao, and Cordillera.

Earlier, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said 104 municipalities and 14 cities were placed under “red category,” which is the highest alert level for possible election-related violence due to possible and recorded presence of armed groups and intense political rivalry.

So far, 10 areas are under Comelec control due to possible election-related violence.

According to Fajardo, the PNP is set to deploy police personnel in polling centers and Comelec checkpoints for the security of the 2022 polls.

Over 41,000 police personnel are set to be deployed in checkpoints across the country, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Aside from these, the PNP said a total of 16,820 uniformed personnel are designated for election duties nationwide.

Fajardo said that the PNP has not monitored any credible threat yet that may disrupt the conduct of the 2022 elections. — RSJ, GMA News