Despite numerous reports of violence since early morning, the Philippine National Police (PNP) maintains that the initial phase of the 2025 midterm elections has remained generally peaceful.
The initial assessment was reported by PNP Chief PGen. Rommel Francisco Marbil as he made his rounds in Metro Manila.
In an ambush interview with the PNP Press Corps, Marbil stated that the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is the only area under close watch, particularly in relation to a possible extension of voting in the region today.
“Very peaceful po. Tuloy-tuloy po ‘yung pulis natin, tuloy-tuloy po ‘yung huli,” said Marbil.
“Sabi ko nga, lahat ng manggugulo ay tinatanggal namin and we want arrest, more arrest. Walang pwedeng gumulo sa eleksyon,” he added.
Marbil made the statement following the delayed conduct of elections in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte earlier this morning, after a group of supporters reportedly blocked Commission on Elections (COMELEC) personnel assigned to serve as members of the Electoral Board (EB) in the area.
312 personnel from the PNP have been designated to serve as members of the Special Electoral Board (SEB) in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, following tensions that disrupted the voting process in the area.
The municipality was placed under COMELEC control following the fatal shooting of an election officer in April.
Aside from the aforementioned area, shooting incidents and fatalities were also reported in Negros Occidental, as well as in Basilan and Lanao del Sur.
