Three people were killed while 15 others were injured after a shooting broke out outside a school in Cotabato City late Sunday night, hours before the opening of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections.
The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on September 13, on the eve of the elections, at the Datu Usman Mampen Elementary School in Barangay Bagua 2, according to a report by RH Jun Dimacutac on Magandang Umaga Pilipinas.
Initial police investigation showed that supporters of rival political groups were allegedly arguing over their place in the queue. The dispute reportedly escalated into a verbal altercation and physical confrontation before gunshots were heard.
In a follow-up report of RH Edniel Parrosa, Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro spokesperson Steffi Salanguit confirmed the shooting and said the victims and the suspects were among those waiting at the school to vote.
Salanguit said the incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute that began as a joke before tensions escalated and an unidentified gunman opened fire.
Two of the victims were reportedly declared dead at the scene, including a man identified by the alias Edgar, while the other two victims remained unidentified.
The 15 injured victims, all reportedly men, were rushed to the nearest hospital for medical treatment.
Police recovered spent bullet casings believed to have come from .45-caliber and 9mm pistols from the crime scene.
The bodies of the three fatalities have since been claimed by their families for burial.
Meanwhile, an explosion was also reported Sunday night in the Malagapas area of Cotabato City.
A garbage bin reportedly exploded after an improvised explosive device (IED) or similar explosive was allegedly placed inside it.
No injuries were reported, but the incident caused alarm among residents in the area.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into both incidents as security preparations remain in place for the first-ever BARMM parliamentary elections.
