According to Comelec chairman Saidamen Pangarungan, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would investigate the gunshot occurrences in Bukidnon and Lanao Del Sur to see if they are linked to Eleksyon 2022.
Pangarungan made the statement after members of two families shot at one other in Lanao del Sur, injuring eight people.
In Quezon Bukidnon, labor leader Leody De Guzman, his party, and a group of indigenous people were fired at, injuring five people.
Pangarungan criticized the violence and said that if all presidential and vice-presidential candidates requested it, the poll board would provide additional security detail throughout the probe.
“These incidents of violence have no place in the process of our elections. This is why the Comelec has been more active in pursuing peace covenants and providing decisive action if threats that disturb a peaceful election arise,” Pangarungan said.
Shots were fired during a visit to Barangay Butong in the municipality of Quezon in Bukidnon, according to the Partido Lakas ng Masa, the party of presidential candidate Leody de Guzman.
They were in the province ostensibly to assist the Manobo-Pulangiyon Indigenous Peoples in reclaiming their ancient territories.
Comelec to probe shooting incidents in Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon
There were no verified deaths resulting from the incident. However, two people were shot. Meanwhile, De Guzman and his senate candidates Roy Cabonegro and David D’Angelo were all declared safe.
Comelec Commissioner George Garcia, in a separate statement, condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act” that should be “condemned by peace-loving Filipinos.”
“If this is an election-related incident, count the Comelec in to use all our powers to get to the bottom of this and hold accountable the culprits and face the full force of the law,” he said.
Due to threats in the approaching national elections, the municipalities of Tubaran and Malabang in Lanao del Sur have been declared under Comelec jurisdiction, according to Pangarungan.
The Philippine National Police acknowledged earlier that the areas are currently being closely monitored and that the Special Action Force has already deployed numerous platoons in the municipalities.
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