The Philippine National Police (PNP) has confirmed 46 election-related incidents (ERIs) during the election period up until 12 May.
The incidents occurred in various regions, with one each in Ilocos, Eastern Visayas, and Northern Mindanao; two each in Cagayan Valley, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Socksargen; three in Central Luzon; four in Zamboanga Peninsula; five in Calabarzon; eight in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM); and 13 in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Police Colonel Randulf Tuaño also reported that 82 suspected election-related incidents were logged, along with 34 validated non-election related incidents.
Tuaño said that between 12 January and 12 May, a total of 43 cases of vote-buying and vote-selling were recorded involving 96 individuals across the country. Of the 96 suspects, 50 were arrested, 24 were released, and 22 remain at large.
As for the cases, five are pending submission, five have been filed, 12 are in the process of filing, one suspect has posted bail, four have been dismissed, and 15 are still under investigation.
The PNP also arrested 3,100 individuals for violating the election gun ban, with 3,190 firearms confiscated as of 12 May. The gun ban remains in effect until 11 June.
The PNP also apprehended 232 persons for violating the two-day liquor ban on 11 and 12 May.
Per Comelec Resolution 10999, the sale, distribution, offering, purchase, serving, or consumption of alcohol is prohibited during this period—except for accredited hotels and establishments catering to foreign tourists.
The PNP recorded 27 incidents on election day itself. Among these were five shooting incidents which took place in the BARMM, Negros Island, and CAR. There were also three explosions reported in BARMM, two mauling incidents in CAR, and cases of strafing, robbery, fire, suspected flying voters in various regions.
The PNP has yet to update the number of fatalities and injuries from these incidents.
Despite the incidents, PNP chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil dubbed the 2025 midterm elections “very peaceful.”
“It’s been very peaceful. Our police operations have been continuous, and arrests are ongoing. As I’ve said, we are removing anyone causing trouble, and we want arrests. I want more arrests. No one should be allowed to disrupt the election,” Marbil told reporters in an interview at Camp Karingal in Quezon City on Monday.
Marbil emphasized that all PNP units were directed to ensure the security of the vote canvassing process.
When compared to the 105 incidents reported during the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, this year’s validated election related incidents were significantly lower. However, it’s worth noting the number was higher than the 27 reported during the 2022 presidential elections.
Tuaño explained, “This year’s polls were notably more peaceful compared to previous elections, with only a few election-related incidents reported in areas like BARMM and Abra. Nonetheless, these incidents were isolated, and there was no failure or postponement of elections anywhere in the country.”
Even though the voting has ended and some candidates have already been proclaimed, the PNP will remain on full alert status until the entire canvassing and proclamation process is complete.
Tuaño confirmed, “The full alert status will remain until the 100-percent completion of the canvassing and proclamation.”
Since 3 May, the PNP has been on full alert, nine days before the 12 May midterm polls.