Election violence incidents hit 29, gov't scrutinizing measures

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has validated 29 election-related violent incidents (EVRIs) since October last year, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia confirmed Monday.

Speaking to reporters at Camp Crame, Garcia noted that most of the incidents occurred in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

"Currently, based on their data from October up to 1 March, they have collected 29 election-related violent incidents," he said.

Garcia clarified that the figure does not yet include recent incidents in Abra and Lumba, Lanao del Sur. Given these developments, he emphasized the need to amend and update the current data to reflect the latest occurrences.

Garcia attended a security briefing at the PNP headquarters ahead of the midterm elections, where he underscored the importance of coordination between the Comelec, law enforcement agencies, and the military in maintaining peace and order.

"We also looked at the loopholes and the adjustments that need to be done, and the high possibility that there will be changes in categorization, classification of different parts of the country, especially amid the recent incidents of violence," Garcia explained.

He urged the PNP to reassess the security situation in BARMM following the rise in violent incidents.

Earlier, Comelec identified 38 areas of concern for the upcoming elections, though Garcia indicated these are still subject to revision. These areas, classified under the red category, are considered to have serious security threats. Of the 38 red-category areas, 32 are in BARMM, two are in Cagayan Valley, two in Bicol, and one each in Western Visayas and Eastern Visayas.

Under Comelec Resolution 11067, the poll body has the authority to deploy additional AFP and PNP personnel as needed and to reshuffle police forces in high-risk areas. The red category may also warrant a motu proprio declaration of Comelec control over an area.

Other classifications include:

• Green – Generally peaceful with no security concerns.

• Yellow – Areas with a history of election-related incidents, potential use of private armed groups, or other security risks (188 areas identified).

• Orange – Areas with immediate security concerns due to serious armed threats (177 areas identified).

Garcia announced that Comelec will release an updated list of areas of concern next week.

He also commended the PNP’s recent efforts in neutralizing private armed groups and other criminal syndicates operating in the country, stressing that continued collaboration between Comelec and law enforcement is vital to ensuring a secure election.

Garcia, meanwhile, touted the PNP’s neutralization of some private armed groups and other syndicates operating in the country.

"So this is really just to strengthen the coordination of the Comelec and the Philippine National Police," he noted.

All police regional directors across the country, as those major commands are virtually present during the Comelec-PNP meeting.