The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it has logged seven suspected election-related incidents (ERIs) nationwide and seized over 350 firearms ahead of the 2025 midterms polls.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the possible ERIs occurred in Western Visayas with four incidents as well as one each in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Soccsksargen.
Two of the seven suspected ERIs on 18 and 25 January, respectively, resulted in the death of an incumbent municipal councilor in Ilocos Sur and a municipal councilor supporter in Soccsksargen.
Fajardo reported the ERIs In Western Visayas include a vehicular accident involving an incumbent mayor.
“PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has directed local investigators to immediately validate whether these can be considered as poll-related,” Fajardo stressed.
“The commanders need not wait for 10 days to come up with findings and recommendations whether these incidents can be listed as ERIs or not,” she added.
Fajardo explained an incident is classified as a suspected ERI if it happens within the election period from 12 January to 11 June and if it involves political candidates or their families, relatives, and close supporters.
In related developments, PNP public information office chief Col. Randulf Tuaño said the number of gun ban violators so far reached 379.
Tuaño noted the police had already confiscated 383 firearms during the gun ban period.
Most of the arrested were civilians while others were security guards, members of law enforcement agencies, and an appointed government official.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 11067 stated that only those carrying a certificate of authority will be permitted to carry guns outside their residence or places of business during the ban, as granted by the en banc’s Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns.
The Comelec en banc set the election period from 12 January to 11 June, 2025, wherein a gun ban will be imposed nationwide except for security forces and other individuals declared as exempted, among them prosecutors and judges.
The 90-day campaign period for senators and party-list representatives will start from 11 February until 10 May. Local candidates will be allowed to campaign from 28 March to 10 May.