Fajardo

Cops probing at least 7 suspected poll-related violence

January 27, 2025 Alfred P. Dalizon 95 views

AT least seven suspected election-related incidents since the start of the Comelec-imposed nationwide gun ban last January 12 to date are being investigated by the Philippine National Police, its spokesperson said yesterday.

According to Brig. Gen. Jean S. Fajardo, two of those incidents led to the killing of a supporter of a municipal councilor in Soccsksargen region and a municipal councilor in Ilocos Sur.

Fajardo said that as of press time, the PNP has monitored seven suspected poll-related violent incidents, four of them in Western Visayas, and 1 each in Ilocos-Pangasinan region; Central Luzon and Soccsksargen regions.

Police are also investigating other cases for malicious mischief, vehicular accidents and defamation, which have been attributed to politics during the period.

However, the PNP spokesperson said the validation being conducted by concerned PNP regional headquarters usually takes up to 10-days.

Fajardo said that last January 18, a supporter of a municipal councilor was gunned down in Soccsksargen region.

The official said that based on existing PNP parameters, an incident is considered a suspected ERI if it will happen between January 12 to June 11 this year, which is the designated polling period.

A suspected ERI also materializes if the suspect or his victim is a candidate, or if he is a close relative or supporter of the candidate and the Commission on Elections

Marbl led the nationwide enforcement of the Comelec-imposed ban on the unauthorized carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons and employment of private armed groups.

As of yesterday, Fajardo said that a total of 379 individuals have been apprehended by the police since last January 12. She cited official figures from the National Election Monitoring Action Center of the Comelec.

The official said that majority of the arrested gun ban violators are civilians although there are some who are grandpas, some members of the PNP and other law enforcement agencies, security guards and appointed government officials.

Confiscated from the gun ban offenders were over 300 revolvers, pistols, 12-gauge shotguns and rifles.

The implementation of a nationwide gun ban has prompted PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil to order his men to neutralize all identified Private Armed Groups and Potential PAGs in their areas or face administrative relief before the actual May 12 polls.

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