(Eagle News) — “Peaceful and orderly.”
This was the assessment of the Philippine National Police of the recently concluded barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Monday, May 14.
According to Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, PNP spokesperson, of the 47 “violent incidents” that left over 30 people dead and 27 wounded since the election period began 30 days ago, seven were “validated” to have been election-related, with 13 people killed.
The election period runs until May 21, 2018.
The figure is less than what the police said were the 57 violent incidents recorded in the 2013 barangay and SK elections that saw 33 people dead and 55 others injured.
Bulalacao said this year, “intensified police operations, mainly through police response, checkpoint, guncheck and search warrant operations led to the arrest of 1,350 persons for various offenses including vote-buying; violation of the 48-hour liquor ban; and possession of firearms, explosives and bladed weapons.”
Over 1000 firearms–or 1157–were confiscated, along with 7,926 rounds of live ammunition, 79 grenades, and 350 explosive devices.
“All 181,212 uniformed PNP personnel assumed election duty in 73,562 polling centers; and in the Reactionary Standby Support Forces of the Police Regional Offices and the National Headquarters; and as members of the Quick Reaction Teams,” Bulalacao said.
He said in Mindanao, 1,100 police personnel served as members of the Board of Election Tellers in some voting centers in Sulu, Basilan, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur “where the assigned BET members failed to report.”
“The PNP NEMAC is continuously monitoring election security operations of PNP units that remain in their posts until the culmination of election activities and complete pull-out of election personnel,” he said.
Polling precincts closed at 3 p.m.
