Some 312 personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) served as the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEIS) in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, after a reported untoward incident disrupted the voting process in the area.
In a press conference at Camp Crame, Police Regional Office of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), P/Lt. Col. Joey Ventura, said the decision stemmed from a reported tension caused by a protest demonstrated by United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) supporters shortly past 10 a.m. on Monday.
“There was a reported tension, one vice mayoralty candidate asked the police to act as SBEIs, and in the end, it was,” Ventura explained.
The incident happened near the municipal hall compound, where supporters of one candidate had been barricading for hours.
Ventura said the elections were stalled in the town’s 104 polling precincts.
Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipality has been placed under the control of the Commission on Elections following the ambush of an election officer in April.
A total of 3,698 police officers have been trained to serve as members of the Special Electoral Board across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the Commission has requested assistance from the Philippine Marine Corps to support police and military personnel at the municipal hall.
“People massed up at the municipal hall. The electoral board and election paraphernalia are there. There are enough ballots. But the people are blocking the way,” he said.
On the other hand, the PNP also reported several shooting incidents on election day.
At least two individuals were killed and five others injured in a shooting incident in Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, Negros Occidental, according to police.
Authorities have launched a manhunt to track down the suspects.
In Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur, one person was reported injured following an altercation involving supporters of rival political camps.
Meanwhile, a 65-year-old man collapsed and died shortly after casting his vote at a school in Oas, Albay, early Monday, police confirmed.
Despite these incidents, the Philippine National Police described the midterm elections as “generally peaceful.”