As many as 19 individuals were killed while 19 others were injured in separate incidents of violence that occurred during the height of the entire campaign period in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
This is the result of 29 “election-related violence” recorded by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from August 28 to October 30, according to spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco.
There were also recorded 113 other incidents of violence that the authorities are investigating if they are also related to the election.
Most of the incidents occurred in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), with 13 incidents and resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals and injuries to 14 others. Authorities arrested 12 suspects in these incidents.
Three incidents occurred in Region 1 with one fatality and three injured; three incidents in Region 10 with one injured; two incidents in Region 5 and Region 7 both with two fatalities; and two in the Cordillera Administrative Region with one fatality.
1 incident was recorded in the National Capital Region (NCR); Calabarzon with one fatality; Region 8 with 1 wounded; and Region 9 with 1 fatality.
The Comelec first announced that the BSKE was “generally peaceful” and said there were “isolated incidents.”
19 dead in BSKE – Comelec
Laudiangco said that although such incidents are also a “cause of concern,” he said that they are still less compared to the incidents that happened during the 2018 election.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. congratulated all newly re-elected barangay chiefs and Sangguniang Kabataan officials.
At the same time, President Marcos urged elected officials to be honest at all times.
President Marcos’ advice is always to put the welfare of the people first, which is why elected officials want to serve.
“Binabati ko ang lahat ng mga bago at muling nahalal sa barangay at SK officials. Napakahalaga po ng inyong papel sa ating lipunan,” said Marcos.
According to the President, one more chance was given to the winners so they should serve as much or more than they can.
Based on the report that President Marcos received from Commission on Elections chairman Erwin Garcia, the recently concluded BSKE went well, which is why he thanked those who helped.
They expect around 70-75 percent voter turnout for the barangay and SK elections, a slight increase from the 2018 elections, which was only between 70-71 percent.
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