Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 30) — Poll watchdogs reported over 20 incidents in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao during the Barangay and Sangguniang Elections (BSKE) on Monday.
The Council for Climate and Conflict Action Asia formerly International Alert Philippines and the Critical Events Monitoring System-Early Response Network released their 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. reports:
Maguindanao del Norte
– Two residents were sent to the hospital after a violent commotion due to the snatching of ballot boxes in Datu Manguda Mangilay Elementary School in Sultan Kudarat. Voting has been stopped since 8 AM.
READ: Two killed in Maguindanao del Norte shooting before poll opening
– Gunshots were fired in SPDA, Brgy. Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat. Some voters were trapped in polling precincts.
– In Brgy. Gulango, Datu Odin Sinsuat, members of the indigenous peoples were not able to vote and they transferred to Datu Odin Sinsuat proper.
– Only a few IPs were able to cast their vote in Brgys. Tapian and Kusiong because of fear that violence may erupt once the military leaves after the elections.
– Tension erupted in Sarilikha National High School in Brgy. Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat. A man was hit in the neck by a gunshot.
Maguindanao del Sur
– One was wounded after being hit by shrapnel from an M79 launcher when gunshots were fired in Brgy. Kabuling, Pandag. Rumble and riots were also reported in the municipality. Heightened alert among security forces with several gunshots heard.
– Tension escalated in Kayupo Elementary School in Pandag after gunshots were heard. Security forces are on heightened alert.
– Voters queued up early in Darampua Elementary, Sultan sa Barongis. Some of the problems encountered were voters who couldn’t find their names in the voter’s list.
– A riot erupted in the boundary of Brgy. Lao-Lao, General Salipada K. Pendatun involving the group of an MILF commander.
– Ongoing fighting in Brgy. Salbo, Datu Saudi Amptuan involving candidates and their supporters from Brgy. Elian.
– Tensions erupted in Brgy. Salam, Paglat after supporters of a candidate blocked the road while the ballot boxes were being transported to the municipal hall. This caused fear among the members of the BEIs. Security forces responded to the incident and the election paraphernalia were brought to the venue of vote counting and canvassing around 6:20 PM.
63 Special Geographic Areas
– Four cluster precincts in Gli-gli Elementary School closed the voting around 3 PM since there were no voters lining up. Candidates in the barangay had no opponents which led to orderly and peaceful elections.
– In Midsayap SGAs, ballot boxes are brought to Baloto Poblacion for the canvassing.
Lanao del Sur
– There was a commotion in several polling precincts in Marawi City due to escalating tensions between the supporters of rival candidates, allegedly supported by incumbent city officials.
– A rumble was reported in Brgy. Poblacion, Marawi City between supporters of two candidates.
– Supporters of a candidate asked for the military to leave a polling precinct in Brgy. Mipuga, Marawi City.
– Tension rose in Brgy. Pamping, Marawi City due to shouting between supporters and voters.
– Riot erupted in Brgy. Bangolo, Marawi City due to flying voters.
– The army fired warning shots in Brgy. Madaya, Marawi City to control the crowd.
– A video circulating online shows gunshots being fired in Brgy. Balintao, Maguing which caused fear and panic among voters. One was injured in the incident.
– As of 5:59PM, close to 90 percent of polling precincts are closed in Marogong.
– In Malabang, canvassing is about to start after voting was completed across all polling precincts.
– Commotion ensued in Brgy. Butig Proper after fistfights due to slow voting process inside the precincts.
– A photo shows a resident who chained herself to the ballot box in Brgy. Tubok, Malabang to protest against the canvassing in the municipality.
– Another shooting incident erupted in Bayabao Central Elementary School in Brgy. Bayabao, Butig which resulted in one death.
– A commotion erupted in Tugaya, Lanao del Sur after elections closed in the area.
– Three alleged flying voters were rushed to the hospital after they were beat up and sustained injuries in Brgy. Torus, Marawi.
Island Provinces
– A reelectionist barangay kagawad and a member of the CAFGU were killed in a shooting incident shortly before the elections closed in Brgy. Luksumbang, Lamitan City, Basilan.
– Police report two minor incidents in Brgy. Lato-Lato in Bongao and Tubig-Dayang in South Ubian, both in Tawi-Tawi which resulted to minor physical injuries.
Meanwhile in Lanao del Norte, a fist-fight occurred among supporters of rival bets in Nunungan town prior to the opening of the elections. A video was released by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Cotabato City.
In Palawan, voting resumed Monday afternoon in two polling precincts after a politician’s supporters caused a disturbance, prompting the Commission on Elections to suspend activities for several hours.
READ: Voting in 2 Palawan polling precincts resume after supporters destroyed ballots
The PNP said in a separate statement on Monday that the election was generally peaceful.
\”As of 3 p.m. the closing of the voting hours of the 2023 BSKE nationwide is generally peaceful. No major incidents so far that compromised the integrity of the elections except for minor incidents,\” PNP Directorate for Operations Chito Bersaluna said during a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
[Translation: As of 3 p.m., the closing of the voting hours of the 2023 BSKE nationwide is generally peaceful. Except for minor incidents, there were no major untoward occurences so far that compromised the integrity of the elections.]
