The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported four election-related deaths and 12 injuries across the country as of 5 p.m. on Monday, the day of the 2025 national and local elections.

In a press conference at Camp Crame, PNP Public Information Office chief Colonel Randulf Tuaño said two of the fatalities were candidates — a municipal councilor and a barangay chairperson — from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Two more individuals were killed, and eight others injured, in separate election-related incidents on Negros Island.

Voting delays in Maguindanao

Tuaño said that out of 37,525 election precincts nationwide, 21 located in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Sur, had yet to begin voting due to a reported commotion earlier in the day.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Joey Ventura, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-BAR, said voting in the affected precincts only started between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday. He noted that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has yet to confirm whether voting in the area will be extended to accommodate the delay.

Ventura said slow communication lines continue to hamper coordination in the region. He also noted that the PNP is still verifying the deaths of two individuals in Basilan province as of 12:30 p.m.

“There was tension when a vice mayoralty candidate requested police officers to act as Special Electoral Boards (SEBs). Eventually, it was approved, and the issue was resolved,” Ventura explained.

The incident reportedly occurred near the municipal hall, where supporters of one candidate had been barricading for hours. As a result, voting in the town’s 104 polling precincts was stalled.

Datu Odin Sinsuat has been placed under Comelec control following the ambush of an election officer in April. To ensure order, 3,698 police officers were trained to serve as SEBs across BARMM.

Liquor ban violations

Meanwhile, the PNP reported 11 violators of the nationwide liquor ban, which was enforced from 11 to 12 May.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 10999, the sale, distribution, purchase, and consumption of alcohol is prohibited nationwide during this period, except in Department of Tourism-accredited establishments catering to foreign tourists.

The Comelec also reminded candidates and supporters that all forms of campaigning — including removing or displaying campaign materials and wearing campaign-related clothing — are strictly prohibited on election day.