MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday said the spike of violence in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) were not related to the upcoming parliamentary elections on Sept. 14, but were caused by personal conflicts.
Police, however, are still verifying a report claiming that 235 people had been killed from January to July in violent incidents linked to the first ever BARMM parliamentary polls.
According to Palace press officer Claire Castro, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed security forces to ensure that the BARMM elections are peaceful and safe.
While the Philippine National Police (PNP) acknowledged the report of international conflict-monitoring group Climate Conflict Action Asia (CCAA), it is still validating these incidents.
Citing the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Castro said the incidents of violence being mentioned in the report are “not election-related but stem from personal conflicts.”
“Nevertheless, whatever may happen, the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (CG) are fully prepared to ensure peace and security during the upcoming elections,” she added.
READ: Group warns of rising poll violence in BARMM
The CCAA earlier reported a spike in violence in the lead-up to the start of the campaign period for the BARMM parliamentary elections, largely driven by the deepening rift between leadership factions of the erstwhile rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
From January to July 28 this year, the CCAA’s Critical Events Monitoring System (CEMS) recorded 611 violent incidents across the BARMM, claiming 235 lives.
Of these, the group has recorded 229 incidents that resulted in 85 deaths since the filing of certificates of candidacy in May.
The CCAA also observed that from May to July, violence involving local government officials increased as the election season gained momentum. Since the election gun ban took effect on July 16, the CEMS has recorded at least 24 incidents involving firearms and explosives or an average of about two incidents per day.
READ: Comelec: 27 BARMM areas under ‘red category’ ahead of parliamentary polls
According to Castro, there are currently 8,299 PNP personnel who have been deployed for election security in BARMM.
“As the elections draw nearer, additional personnel may be deployed depending on the threat assessment and the requirements of the Comelec,” Castro said.
Castro said the PNP remains focused on law enforcement operations against private armed groups and other security threats, while maintaining close coordination with the AFP and Comelec through the Joint Security Control Centers.
Police are also strengthening intelligence gathering, community engagement, and the strict enforcement of political neutrality among all security personnel.
Castro said the PNP is working alongside the AFP and the PCG to strengthen security, particularly in election areas of concern identified by the Comelec, to ensure that the elections are conducted safely, peacefully, and orderly. /jpv
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