Violence erupts in BARMM, but polls generally peaceful

MANILA, Philippines — Despite incidents of violence in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared Monday’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) as “generally peaceful.”

“Generally, when you look at it, from 5 a.m. onwards, the election was generally peaceful nationwide even if there are a few incidences of violence, especially in the Bangsamoro,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said at a press briefing yesterday.

Garcia said he is puzzled why the Bangsamoro people are so passionate that they resort to violence.

“I cannot understand why the polls are so intense, especially in the area of the Bangsamoro. Everyone is so passionate when it comes to the elections. All of us are passionate but there must be no fistfights, shootings and deaths,” Garcia said in English and Filipino.

The Comelec recorded 29 confirmed election-related violent incidents as of yesterday, but the BSKE was held smoothly and no election-related incidents were reported in all of the 365 areas previously classified by the commission as “areas of concern.”

At least four people were killed as violence marred the conduct of the BSKE in various parts of the country yesterday.

In Maguindanao del Norte, two people were shot dead in the town of Datu Odin Sinsuat. The shooting occurred along the Cotabato-Sharrif Aguak road in Barangay Bugawas at around 6 a.m., police said.

Killed were Juhaimin Ube and an alias Mistake. Four other people were wounded – Mohalidin Solaiman, Jerik Alon, Nasrudin Salik and Harong Tating.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said pursuit operations are ongoing against the perpetrators, identified as Romar Abas, Keds Lidasan, Michael Abas and Teng Kapaya.

Another shooting happened in Butig in Lanao del Sur, killing village chief candidate Madid Bao, husband of Barangay Poktan incumbent chair Conaipa Bao. Madid was killed at 6:25 a.m. during an alleged shootout with his wife’s political opponent.

In Bacolod town, Lanao del Norte, a shootout between supporters of two candidates for barangay captain broke out at 6:10 a.m. yesterday.

Reports reaching Western Mindanao Command stated