Boto Bangsamoro logs 'serious' election-related incidents in BARMM

The Boto Bangsamoro election monitoring unit of the Climate Conflict Action (CCA) and Early Response Network (ERN) has documented a series of grenade attacks, shootouts, armed confrontations, brawls, and mass displacement that were reported in parts of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on May 12 election day, according to Climate Conflict Action (CCA).

Citing the latest report, CCA said United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) supporters surrounded the Datu Odin Sinsuat municipal hall to demand military/PNP service as Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), stalling the release of ballots in 104 poll precincts early Monday.

"They complained that the current BEIs are COMELEC employees and barangay volunteers," it noted. "By 7:22 AM, makeshift barricades blocked the entrance, stalling the start of voting."

Other incidents were recorded:

2:00 AM: Gunfire in Barangays Poblacion 1, Poblacion 2, and Labu-Labu in Shariff Aguak ceased only after the arrival of military forces. Residents in the affected areas were forced to evacuate immediately for safety.

5:45 AM: Two fighter helicopters were observed circling over Maguindanao del Sur, indicating a heightened military presence.

7:45 AM: A checkpoint in Buluan intercepted approximately 100 individuals carrying illegal firearms. Many of them were reportedly former military personnel.

7:51 AM: Former Member of Parliament Datu Midpantao Midtimbang was seen moving around Barangay Poblacion in Shariff Aguak, allegedly to “guarantee” votes for the UBJP, "further fueling local distrust."

The Boto Bangsamoro also documented 239 deaths across the BARMM region since the filing of candidacy commenced in October 2024.

Of the figure, 21 deaths have occurred since May 1, including five election-related deaths as of noon on May 12 election day.