The Philippine National Police (PNP) has reported 16 election-related incidents, and 3,081 people have been seized for gun ban violations.
PNP spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo, however, said the 16 election-related incidents as of May 8, is lower compared to the 60 incidents in 2019 and 133 in 2016.
“If we compare ‘yung mga validated election-related incidents natin to the 2016 and 2019 elections, masasabi natin na mas mababa itong 16 so far na naitala natin and considered as validated election related incidents,” she said during a press briefing on Sunday.
There are parameters needed to be considered before every incident tagged as election-related, the police official said.
“’Yung parameters po natin para ma-categorize po as election-related incident definitely ay ‘yung insidente po ay nangyari during the current election period at ang involved po diyan ay kandidato, sa anumang elective position, kanilang mga supporters and even their family members, at ‘yung purpose or motive behind this incident is to disrupt or influence itong gagawin nating electoral exercise,” she said.
On the other hand, the PNP has arrested 3,081 individuals and confiscated 2,359 firearms since the start of the election gun ban on January 9. The said numbers are lower compared to those reported in the past two elections.
“This is a good indicator na ibig sabihin na ‘yung preparation natin ay naging maganda – ‘yung intensified and sustained military and focused military operations targeting loose firearms and potential private armed groups,” she said. — Ronald Espartinez