Four people were killed and at least 19 others were injured in incidents linked to the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), according to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
During a press conference on Monday, COMELEC Chairman George Garcia said three people were killed Sunday night, while another person died on Monday following a shooting incident at Central Pilot Elementary School in Cotabato City.
“Tatlo po ang namatay kagabi na 11:45, isa ang namatay kanina lamang dahil sa insidente dito sa isang eskwelahan sa Central Pilot Elementary School,” Garcia said.
Garcia said the number of injured also increased following the shooting at the school, according to RH Tina Nolasco's report on DZRH.
He said 15 people were injured in incidents on Sunday night, while another person was injured after an explosion involving the individual, bringing the total to 16. Three more people were injured in the shooting at Central Pilot Elementary School on Monday.
“Kung iyan ay 16 plus 3, 19. Plus tatlong namatay kagabi and then plus isa kanina lang, apat lahat iyong namatay ng mga kababayan po natin,” he said.
Following the series of incidents, Cotabato City was placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Despite the reported deaths and injuries, the COMELEC maintained that the first BARMM parliamentary elections were “generally peaceful.”
The elections mark the first regular parliamentary polls in the autonomous region.
