PNP validated 27 poll-related violence during election period - Comelec

MANILA, Philippines, May 20 ------ The Philippine National Police (PNP) has validated 27 poll-related violence during the election period, Commission on Elections (Comelec) acting spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco revealed on May 19.

“Per the report of the Philippine National Police, they had validated around 27 election-related incidents,” he said in a press briefing, noting that the incidents happened between January 9 and May 9, Election Day “In-exclude na po nila dito ‘yung ibang incidents that were reported but ultimately were determined and investigated na hindi election-related,” he added.

The following is the breakdown of the 27 election-related violence validated by the PNP:

• Ilocos Region – 4 election-related incidents

• Central Luzon – 6 election-related incidents

• Region Central Visayas – 1 election-related incident

• Zamboanga Peninsula – 7 election-related incidents

• Northern Mindanao – 1 election-related incident

• Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao – 3 election-related incidents

• Cordillera Administrative Region – 5 election-related incidents

The number of election-related violence for the May polls is lower compared to 2016’s 133 and 2019’s 60 validated incidents, according to the PNP. Meanwhile, around 10,000 firearms and other deadly weapons were confiscated by the police force amid the prevailing poll gun ban from January 9 to June 8. “As of the latest report of the PNP, they were already able to get, collect — kasi sama-sama po — surrendered firearms, confiscated firearms, and other deadly weapons,” said Laudiangco. “‘Pag pinagsama-sama niyo po sila, umaabot na po sa 10,381 ang nakokolekta ng PNP in so far as gun ban violations are concerned,” he continued.

Source: inquirer.net