MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said violence related to the upcoming 2025 midterm elections remained relatively low compared to previous years.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said intensified efforts by the police and military forces were significant in maintaining peace and order, including the setting up of checkpoints and the confiscation of firearms outside residences.

“Sa buong Pilipinas, mababa pa rin ang bilang ng ating mga election-related violence kung ito ay ikukumpara noong 2019 at 2022. At dahil iyan sa pinaigting natin na kampanya ng Philippine National Police, ng AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” Garcia told reporters at Camp Crame.

(Across the Philippines, the number of election-related violent incidents remains low compared to 2019 and 2022. That’s because of the intensified campaign of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.)

Comelec sees rise in election related violence

Garcia was the guest during the culmination of a week-long election readiness training attended by at least 244 members of the PNP Reactionary Standby Support Force at the national headquarters. They are among 7,000 police personnel nationwide who are on standby to help ensure orderly, safe, and secure elections. 

The PNP earlier reported 35 election-related incidents, with 13 fatalities and 16 injuries.

Based on data from January 12 to April 28, the highest number of incidents were recorded in the Cordillera and Bangsamoro regions, with 11 and 8 incidents, respectively. Calabarzon followed with five incidents, while Zamboanga Peninsula had three. Two incidents each were reported in the Western Visayas and Davao regions, while one incident each occurred in Ilocos, Central Luzon, Eastern Visayas, and Soccsksargen.

The towns of Datu Sinsuat and Buluan in Maguindanao del Sur were placed under the control of the Comelec due to rising violence.

Comelec backs relief of PNP officials in Bangsamoro Region

“Nakakatuwa naman kasi simula nang ma-declare natin sa Comelec control ‘yong dalawang areas na ‘yon, wala naman tayong nabalitaan na major disturbance,” Garcia said. 

(It’s encouraging because since we placed those two areas under Comelec control, we haven’t heard of any major disturbances.)

Garcia urged candidates and their supporters to cooperate in ensuring peaceful elections. 

“Doon sa mga politiko, sa mga kandidato, doon sa mga supporters nila o mga tauhan nila, tatandaan niyo na ‘yong long arm of the law will be there. Hindi naman po papayag ang Comelec, ang PNP, ang AFP na basta na lang niyo guguluhin ang ating katahimikan at pagkatapos walang karampatang kaparusahan,” Garcia said.

(To the politicians, the candidates, their supporters, and staff—remember that the long arm of the law will be there. The Comelec, the PNP, and the AFP will not allow anyone to disrupt our peace without facing proper consequences.)

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