BSKE death toll rises to 26 — PNP

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 10) — The number of people killed in connection with this year's Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) rose to 26, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Friday.

«Alam po natin may mga kandidato po na probably hindi po nila matanggap na sila po ay natalo at hindi naman po sila 'yung may direktang kinalaman so far dahil under investigation pa po tayo dito po sa mga insidente na ito,» PNP spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo said.

[Translation: We know there may be candidates who cannot accept their defeat but so far, they might not be directly involved because we're still investigating these incidents.]

«Anticipated natin na itong eleksyon na ito ay maaaring mainit. May mga areas tayo na binantayan dahil napakatagal, five years bago nangyari itong BSKE,» she added.

[Translation: We have anticipated that the elections would be heated. We have identified areas of concern because the last BSKE was five years ago.]

Based on PNP records, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao recorded 13 deaths, the highest nationwide.

RELATED: Conflict Watchdog: 2023 BSKE 'bloodiest election in past decade' in Mindanao Autonomous region

The Bicol region had three fatalities, while Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Northern Mindanao logged two deaths each.

The Ilocos region, Calabarzon, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Cordillera Administrative Region had one fatality each.

According to PNP data, the incidents involving newly elected officials also increased from six to eight — six shootings, one stabbing, and one hacking…

The election period started on Aug. 28 and will end on Nov. 29.

The Commission on Elections said the election day on Oct. 30 was generally peaceful.

Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco earlier told CNN Philippines that figures in the 2023 BSKE were "really low compared to the figures coming in from the 2013 and 2018 barangay elections, where we had more than 300 election-related incidents and deaths."