By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has validated 46 election-related incidents (ERIs) from the start of the election period on Jan. 12 up to the election day on May 12.
PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Randulf Tuaño said the ERIs are lower compared to the 105 incidents logged during the Otober 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, but higher than the 27 ERIs reported in the 2022 presidential polls.
“This year’s polls were notably more peaceful compared to previous elections, with only a few election-related incidents reported in areas such as the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) and Abra,” Tuaño said in a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
“Nonetheless, these incidents were isolated, and no failure or postponement of elections was recorded anywhere in the country,” he added.
Law enforcers recorded 3,100 gun ban violators and confiscated 3,190 firearms as of May 12.
The liquor ban violators on May 11 and 12 reached 232, while 43 cases of vote-buying and vote-selling were recorded from Jan. 12 to May 12.
He said charges will be filed against all individuals found in violation of election laws.
Tuaño said all PNP units nationwide will remain on full alert status as the canvassing and proclamation continue.
Under a full alert status, police personnel are not allowed to go on leave to ensure sufficient deployment. (PNA)
