Lanao del Sur – The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) experienced significant disruptions in Lanao del Sur and parts of Northern Mindanao.
According to Philippines News Agency, most clustered precincts in the province’s 1,161 barangays opened much later than the scheduled time of 7:30 a.m., frustrating voters who had been waiting since 3 a.m.
In the municipality of Tamparan, tensions arose between residents and peacekeeping forces as well as local election board members at Lumbia Masiu Central Elementary School. In Butig, a shooting incident resulted in the death of Madid Bao, husband of incumbent barangay chairperson Poktan Unaifa Lao, as reported by Butig Municipal Police Station. In response, Lt. Col. Viczar Villanueva, commander of the Army’s 51st Infantry Battalion, extended the voting time in the affected precinct.
In Bayang, Lanao del Sur, the police’s special force served as the Election Board at the Sultan Pandapatan Central Elementary School, where casting of votes was also delayed due to disputes between supporters in Barangay Tagoranao. According to a monitoring report by Climate and Conflict Action Asia (CCAA), commotions were noted inside several polling precincts due to rival supporters. CCAA also reported that a video circulating online showed gunshots being fired in Barangay Balintao, Maguing, causing fear and panic among voters.
Despite the disruptions, provincial election supervisor Udtog Tago stated that the elections were relatively peaceful in most barangays. Tago also noted that some villages, such as those in the municipality of Lumbatan, had unopposed candidates.
In the adjacent province of Lanao del Norte, additional incidents disrupted the elections. The Police Regional Office (PRO) 10 reported a shooting in the municipality of Bacolod and a commotion in the municipality of Nunungan. Meanwhile, Malitbog Municipal Police Station in Bukidnon apprehended a suspect for violating the ‘Kontra Bigay’ provision of Comelec Resolution 10946. PRO-10 acting Director, Brig. Gen. Ricardo Layug Jr., emphasized the police’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process. The local chapter of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections also reported alleged vote-buying in Cagayan de Oro City.