The Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed that the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, which had been postponed multiple times, resulted in 19 fatalities and 19 injuries from August 28 to October 30. These figures were reported by Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco in an interview with CNN Philippines.
Of the confirmed incidents, 29 were verified as election-related violence. Additionally, 113 other cases are currently under investigation to ascertain their connection to the recent elections. A significant number of these violent events transpired in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
While the elections were marred with some violence, such as the deaths of two supporters in Maguindanao del Norte and a confrontation in Lanao del Sur, Comelec still labeled the polls as “generally peaceful.”
Laudiangco, in a conversation with ABS-CBN News Channel, expressed concern over the incidents but also mentioned that the violence was less compared to the 2018 polls. Recognizing the historically volatile nature of Philippine elections, he emphasized the need for a peaceful election culture. Ahead of the local polls, 365 barangays were classified under the “red category” indicating high-risk areas.
“We need to normalize the elections for the people. Violence should never be an outcome,” stressed Laudiangco. To curb election-related violence in the future, Comelec is focusing on strengthening security measures and voter education.
In the aftermath of the elections, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. urged newly elected officials to remain honest and prioritize their constituents’ welfare. Village officials play a pivotal role in executing national policies at the community level and offering essential public services.
It’s noteworthy that the previous local polls were in 2018, with postponements in both 2020 and 2022.