Residents gather faround a precinct for the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite at Barangay Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, January 21, 2019. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA — The reported deaths since the filing of certificates of candidacies (COC) in May are not related to the Bangsamoro parliamentary poll, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Monday.
Based on the Climate Conflict Action Asia’s monitoring, there were 229 violent conflict incidents, in which 85 have died, since the May COC filing for the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao parliamentary election on Sept. 14.
Comelec chairman George Garcia argued that the incidents were not related to the incoming poll, noting that it has been “relatively peaceful” in BARMM.
“Personal conflicts po o rido ang dahilan. In fact , sobra effective ng pagpapatupad natin ng gun ban sa buo [B]angsamoro,” Garcia told ABS-CBN News in a message. “Wala isa man ang kandidatong ilagay sa [C]omelec control [na] lugar.”
“Per investigation may mga [personal na] alitan o pure and simple crimes [‘yung incidents],” he added.
Very urgent motion to resolve cases on BARMM elections filed at SC; TRO pending resolution requested
According to the Bangsamoro Parliament, “rido refers to violent, prolonged clan feuds that often result in loss of life, property damage, or displacement.”
Meanwhile, Malacanang said security and law enforcement agencies are prepared to ensure the first parliamentary poll will be peaceful.
"Ang order ng Pangulo ay maging mapayapa, ligtas at magkaroon ng malayang halalan sa BARMM," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Monday.
"Pinalalakas din ang intelligence gathering, community engagement at mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng political neutrality ng lahat ng security personnel," she said.
She said around 8,299 PNP personnel were deployed for boost election security in the region and that the deployment could increase based on the needs of the Comelec.
No poll-related violence logged since start of Bangsamoro election period — Comelec
The election period for the BARMM poll, wherein guns are banned, began on July 16 and will end on Sept. 29
The campaign period kicked off on July 30 and will end two days before the election.