BSKE 2023: Situation in areas of concern manageable despite some incidents - PNP

The situation in election areas of concern has been manageable so far despite some significant incidents, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. said on Monday.

At a news conference, Acorda said that “peace and order have been observed” in areas under the control of the Commission of Elections (Comelec) which are Negros Oriental and Libon, Albay.

“Our dedicated personnel are strategically positioned in areas under Comelec control such as Libon, Albay and Negros Oriental where relative peace and order have been observed,” Acorda said.

“Our forces remained on high alert in other areas with security concerns. While there are significant incidents noted in these areas, the current situation remains manageable,” he added.

So far, a total of 169 reported incidents of violence suspected to be related to the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) have been monitored, the PNP said.

Only 31 of these reported incidents have been confirmed to be related to the BSKE, while 94 have been confirmed to be unrelated. There are 44 incidents that are still undergoing the validation process.

Of the 31 confirmed incidents connected with the elections, Acorda said most of them were reported in Bangsamoro with 12 cases, followed by Cordillera with five, and Northern Mindanao with four.

Three cases were reported in Ilocos and Eastern Visayas, two cases in the Bicol Region and Central Visayas. Once case was reported in Zamboanga.

Acorda said that while there have been reports of suspected election-related incidents, these challenges did not significantly impact the overall security of the BSKE.

Palawan incidet

Meanwhile, voting in two precincts in Palawan was temporarily stopped on Monday after supporters of a candidate stormed the place and destroyed the ballots, Junfred Calamba of Super Radyo Palawan reported on Super Radyo dzBB.

The report said the incident took place in two polling precincts -- Precincts No. 0121B and 0122A -- in Barangay Princesa in Puerto Princesa City.

The ballots that were destroyed were not yet used, the report said. Personnel from the City Police Office and Department of Education were already in the area to address the issue.

Gun ban

Due to violations of election gun ban, a total of 1,995 individuals have been arrested and 1,510 firearms have been confiscated, according to the PNP.

The PNP monitored 17 incidents of alleged vote-buying, most of them were reported in Ilocos and Soccsksargen with three cases each, followed by Western Visayas with two.

At least one case of alleged vote-buying was reported in Cagayan, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Central Visayas, Zamboanga, Northern Mindanao, Bangsamoro, and the National Capital Region.

For liquor ban, 51 violators have been reported.

As of 8 a.m. on Election Day, the PNP said only around 93% of polling centers have been opened nationwide. In an update around 10 a.m., the percentage increased to 98%.

Precincts opened at 7 a.m. and voting will be up to 3 p.m., the Comelec had said.

There are 361 election areas of concern under the red category; 1,252 under orange category; and 1,210 under yellow category as of October 25, according to the PNP.

Yellow areas may have intense partisan political rivalry and candidates possibly employing partisan armed groups. These areas also had been previously declared under Comelec control.

Orange areas exhibit two or more factors under the yellow category or a serious armed threat posed by local terrorist groups and other threat groups.

The red category refers to areas with one or more factors described under the yellow category and serious armed threats posed by local terrorist groups. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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