7 suspected election-related violence incidents so far —PNP

Seven incidents of violence suspected to be related to the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) have been monitored so far, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

“With regards to the total number of [election related incidents], suspected pa lang kasi meron tayong validation [suspected only so far because we have a validation process], so all in all seven,” PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. said in a press conference.

Acorda said the PNP beefed up its deployment to Malabang, Lanao del Sur after a person allegedly fired a gun during the filing of certificates of candidacy.

“We are now beefing up our forces there to make sure that there will be no further violations or similar incidents that will happen in that area,” he said.

“Yung nagpaputok [The gunman], he was identified by our ground units and we are now preparing the necessary charges against him,” he added.

Earlier, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported that three of four recent incidents of violence are not related to the BSKE 2023:

• an incident in Cainta, Rizal last week in which three barangay tanods responding to battery allegations and the suspect were shot dead;
• an August 29 incident in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao involving the police and suspected Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters; and
• an August 29 incident in Midsayap, North Cotabato in which Barangay Malingaw Punong Barangay aspirant Haron Dimanes was gunned down; considered part of a rido or feud between families in Mindanao.

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

A total of 241 gun ban violators have been arrested and 130 assorted small arms and light weapons confiscated as of Sunday, according to Acorda.

Most of the arrests were reported in Metro Manila with 64, followed by Central Luzon with 46, and Central Visayas with 22.

The BSKE 2023 is set to be held October 30. — BM, GMA Integrated News