THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded several violent incidents amid the ongoing 2025 national and local elections.
Hours before the opening of voting centers for early voting for vulnerable individuals, the Police Regional Office-Davao Region recorded an armed encounter between supporters of mayoralty candidates in Barangay Mesaoy, New Corella, Davao del Norte, which resulted in the arrest of two individuals.
Two were injured in the incident.
Before the opening of voting for the general public, around 7 a.m., a shooting incident occurred in Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, Negros Occidental, resulting in the death of two individuals and injuries to five others.
The PNP identified three suspects, including Barangay Lantad Chairman Arnie Benedicto.
A hot pursuit of the suspects is currently ongoing, and the motive has yet to be determined.
A shooting incident also occurred in Barangay Rinabor, Bayang, Lanao del Sur, resulting in the death of a municipal councilor candidate who was the brother of the barangay chairman of Sumbag Bayong.
In Dinas, Zamboanga Del Sur, one was wounded due to a heated argument between the supporters of politicians in the area.
In Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, which was earlier placed under Comelec control, over 100 polling centers have yet to open for the start of voting in the 2025 national and local elections.
In a press conference, Bangsamoro police Public Information Office (PIO) chief Lieutenant Colonel Jovy Ventura said a total of 312 police personnel will facilitate the voting in the 104 polling centers within the municipality.
He said the takeover was due to a protest conducted by the UBJ partylist members at the gate of the municipal hall, preventing the immediate transportation of the automated voting machines and other election materials.
The PNP also confirmed the incident in Marawi City, where a poll watcher poured water into a vote-counting machine.
The female suspect eluded arrest and is now a subject of pursuit operations.
In an interview, PNP chief General Rommel Marbil said that despite these incidents, particularly in the Bangsamoro region, the situation in the country amid the ongoing polls remains “very peaceful.” (TPM/SunStar Philippines)