Comelec: 3 recent incidents of violence not election-related

The Commission on Elections on Thursday said three out of four recent incidents of violence were not related to the upcoming 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). 

Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco shared updates to the media citing latest reports from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

According to the report shared by Comelec, the three incidents that are not election related are the following:

• Incident in Cainta, Rizal last week where the barangay tanods and the suspect were shot dead.
• August 29 incident in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao where four police officers were injured and the suspects of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. The Comelec said the incident is not election related following validation by the PNP, adding that it is on account of continuing anti-criminality and anti-terrorist operations against the said local terrorist groups.
• August 29 incident in Midsayap, North Cotabato where Barangay Malingaw Punong Barangay aspirant Haron Dimanes was gunned down. The Comelec said the PNP and the AFP established that this is not an election-related incident as the casualty was the brother of a suspect in a murder case prior to the election period. The authorities considered this as rido or feud between families in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the Comelec said the killing of Barangay San Jose reelectionist chairperson Alex Repato in Libon, Albay is still undergoing validation by the PNP.

According to the report, the suspect in Repato's case is a private armed group.

The poll body also said that the killing of the following individuals in Libon, Albay cannot be classified as election-related incidents as these occurred prior to the election period:

• Barangay Kagawad Reliosa Mata (Barangay. Nogpo),
• Barangay Captain Oscar Maronilla (Barangay San Pascual)
• Barangay Kagawad Salvador Olivares (Barangay. Bariw)

Private armed groups are being considered as suspects in the killing of the three barangay officials.

Nonetheless, the Comelec has ordered the creation of task forces for Libon, Albay and Midsayap, North Cotabato, augmentation of police forces in the said areas including 150 personnel and 80 members of the Special Action Force in Libon Albay, and provision of two PNP security to all spirants for barangay chairman in Libon, Albay.

The poll body also called for the establishment of law enforcement hotlines that will run 24/7 and activation by the AFP of 100 Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGUs) and other reservists to provide additional security in the said areas.

Election period

The election period for this year’s BSKE will run from August 28 to November 29, which means security measures nationwide will increase.

Among the security measures that the Comelec will impose are the establishment of checkpoints and a ban on carrying firearms.

The 2023 BSKE will be held on October 30.

Last August 15, the PNP said it was considering 27 areas to be designated as election areas of concern under the red category for the 2023 BSKE.

The red areas are located but not specifically in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Basilan, Sulu, and the special geographic area. There are 232 areas being considered to be placed under the orange category, 4,085 under yellow category, and 37,683 under the green category.

Yellow areas have reported suspected election-related incidents in the past two polls, possible presence of armed groups, and intense political rivalries. Yellow areas are considered “areas of concern.”

Orange areas have a recorded presence of armed groups such as the New People's Army that may interrupt the polls. These are considered “areas of immediate concern.”

Meanwhile, red areas meet the parameters for yellow and orange areas. They will be placed under Comelec control. Security forces will focus on monitoring these areas with a possibility for violence and intense political fights among local candidates. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News