The Philippine National Police (PNP) described the opening of the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as “generally peaceful” despite incidents of violence and delays in the opening of several precincts in Basilan.
During a press conference at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson PCol. Allen Rae Co said the electoral process remained under control, according to a report by RH Edniel Parrosa.
“Under control pa rin, generally peaceful ito... In the majority of areas within BARMM ay napaka-peaceful po ng nangyayaring electoral process,” Co said.
“Mangyari man lamang na mayroon pong ibang areas, may mga isolated incidents… We are calibrated in our response, and we will respond with force and necessary intervention,“ he added.
According to the latest data, the PNP recorded three shooting incidents in Cotabato, Basilan, and Maguindanao del Sur; three explosion incidents in Cotabato City; and the recovery of an improvised explosive device in Basilan.
The PNP said voting had already started in all precincts in Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Norte, and the Special Geographic Areas.
As of 11 a.m., Basilan was the only area that had not reached full voting status, with 88.36% of its precincts operational, leaving 22 precincts yet to open.
Co said the delayed opening of the precincts was isolated and followed the discovery of pre-shaded ballots in the province.
