Election-related violence occur in Silay, Basilan, Zamboanga del Sur
Incidents of poll-related violence, which have resulted in deaths and injuries, occurred on election day in different parts of the country.
Ahead of the midterm elections, the Philippine National Police declared that it is on "full alert" with more than 160,000 officers deployed nationwide. Some 370 areas of concern were identified.
Apart from anomalies and problems Filipinos experienced as they cast their vote, some places reported cases of election day violence, including Basilan, Negros Occidental, and Zamboanga del Sur.
4 killed in Basilan gunfight
Col. J-Jay Javines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Mindanao Command spokesperson, said in a statement that a gunfight broke out in Brgy. Langil, Hadji Mohammad Ajul in Basilan on the eve of the elections. Four were killed in the incident.
Police said in a 24 Oras Weekend report that the encounter was between supporters of mayoral candidates.
According to the Army's 101st Infantry Brigade's Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, residents fled in fear of getting caught in the crossfire.
Members of the municipal police and Special Action Force commandos were deployed to stop the hostilities.
3 killed, 2 injured in Basilan
In another incident in Basilan, three people, including a poll watcher, were killed in a clash in Hadji Muhtamad hours before elections. Two others were also injured.
According to a Philippine News Agency report, poll watcher Murasidul Kidong Abduarahman and supporters Samier Alil Jamiri and Ben Bakil were riding a motorboat with mayoral candidate Jamar Mansul's convoy when they were attacked at around 1 a.m.
The clash also involved police officers, as the seaborn patrol engaged eight armed men who wouldn't stop for inspection.
"They suddenly opened fire, prompting our team to retaliate in a five-minute firefight," Police chief Maj. Nursaibar Mahadi said.
Mansul escaped the incident unharmed.
Silay shooting
Two were killed and seven others were hurt in a shooting incident in Silay City, Negros Occidental on May 12 morning.
Volunteers of reelectionist Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego gathered in front of Team Asenso Silay headquarters when suspects fired shots at them at around 7 a.m., according to an ABS-CBN News report.
Police reports said that the victims were also employees of the local government and were verifying vote-buying incidents in the area.
Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, director of the Police Regional Office - Negros Island Region, said in a statement that necessary actions are being undertaken to bring the perpetrators to justice.
"The full force of the law is being applied to apprehend the suspects."
Initial reports found that one of the suspects was Barangay Chairman Arnie Benedicto.
'Harassment' case in Zamboanga del Sur
One person was killed while another was injured in an incident of harassment between two supporters of different political parties in Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur, Police Major Shella Chang said in a press briefing.
Authorities found 19 pieces of 5.56mm casings and seven .45mm fired ammunition at the scene. ABS-CBN News reports police also found an assault rifle, a sling bag containing about P12,600, and a sample ballot.
The 2025 midterm polls are taking place on Monday, May 12. There are over 18,000 positions up for grabs. Tune in to PhilSTAR L!fe's coverage of this year's elections here.
