MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday maintained that the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections were mostly peaceful.
“While there are pockets of security challenges, the BARMM elections were peaceful and orderly in almost all parts of the region,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.
The top cop’s pronouncement came despite several alleged incidents of shootings, explosions and recovery of improvised explosive devices (IED) on election day last Monday.
READ: Violence, fraud mar BARMM elections on a ‘lesser scale’
At least four people had reportedly died, while 20 others were injured in the incidents.
“Our personnel immediately responded to these incidents, adjusted our deployment where necessary, and worked closely with Comelec (Commission on Elections) and our security partners to prevent further escalation and protect the electorate,” Nartatez maintained.
He further added that the PNP was already conducting a thorough investigation into the incidents and building up cases against the perpetrators.
PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co previously noted that the national police force recorded at least three purported shooting incidents in Basilan, Cotabato City and Maguindanao del Sur; three alleged explosions in Cotabato City; and the recovery of an IED in Basilan.
“We commend the people of BARMM for exercising their right to vote despite the challenges encountered during the elections. Their participation demonstrates their commitment to the democratic process and to building a peaceful Bangsamoro,” Nartatez said.
“But, the mission is not yet fully completed as we have to maintain peace and order until the winners are proclaimed and until the last day of the election period,” he added. /jpv
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