One person was killed and at least 3 others were injured in a shooting inside Central Pilot Elementary School in Cotabato City on Monday morning during the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections.
According to a report by RH Jun Dimacutac on Damdaming Bayan, the incident occurred at around 7 a.m. at the said polling center along Sinsuat Avenue in Barangay Poblacion 6.
According to an initial police report, one of the injured victims was a police officer.
The shooting was reportedly preceded by a confrontation involving stone-throwing and pushing before gunshots were heard.
Col. Jibin Bongcayao, Cotabato City police director said voting at the affected polling center was temporarily suspended following the incident.
“Pansamantala kasing na-stop ang botohan natin,” Bongcayao said.
Several teachers inside one of the polling precincts also reportedly sought assistance after a unidentified group allegedly tried to force them out. The teachers reportedly locked the doors and remained inside the precinct, according to Bongcayao.
Voting at the affected polling precincts remains suspended as authorities secure the area.
Police said the motive for the shooting remains undetermined as they continue their investigation and intelligence validation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The incident came hours after a separate shooting outside a school in Cotabato City late Sunday night, which left three people dead and 15 others injured, according to authorities.
The incident occurred just hours before the opening of the BARMM parliamentary elections.
Following the series of incidents, Cotabato City was placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
