THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said one person was killed while eight possible election-related incidents were recorded during the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Monday, May 14.
NP chief Oscar Albayalde said the incidents were recorded in the provinces of South Cotabato, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.
Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, PNP spokesperson, said they expect the numbers to go up as reports come in from the provincial and regional offices.
From April 14 to 9 a.m. of May 15, the PNP recorded a total of 57 suspected election-related incidents including shooting, kidnapping, arson, harassment, illegal detention, ambush, grave threats, throwing of hand grenade, mauling, coercion and violation of the election gun ban.
Incidents that led to the death of 13 people have been validated to be related to the elections. Twenty-two others were also killed during the election period.
Of those killed, 18 were elected government officials, five were candidates, three former elected government officials, three supporters and six civilians.
Despite such incidents, Albayalde said the just concluded electoral exercise was a "big success."
"Well, as of this time since natapos (ang botohan) we can say now that it was really a big success sa atin. Nakapagboto 'yung ating mga kababayan ng maayos ng walang nanakot sa kanila," he said.
"In previous times may mga harassments pa nangyayari even before the election time. Usually nakuha lang naman natin na reports is ang perennial na vote buying incidents pero pagdating sa outcome ng election of course except for Marawi lahat yan ay nakapag-conduct ng maayos na election sa Pilipinas," he added.
Albayalde also noted that there was no incident perpetrated by the New People's Army and other threat groups that were monitored during the Election Day.
However, he said police forces will remain in their posts especially in the areas where counting of votes is still ongoing.
A total of 1,404 police personnel served as board of election tellers during the casting of votes particularly in the areas of Kalinga, Dasmarinas City, Zamboanga City, Lanao del Norte, Sulu, Basilan, Maguindanao Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City and North Cotabato. (VoxPop Philippines)