Manila — Following the recently concluded 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported 19 election-related deaths across seven regions in the Philippines.
According to Philippines News Agency, the incidents occurred between August 28 and October 31. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) had the highest count with 11 deaths, followed by two deaths each in Regions V (Bicol) and VII (Central Visayas). The Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), along with Regions IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), IV-A (Calabarzon), and I (Ilocos), recorded one death each.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia announced that the commission is prepared to offer up to PHP200,000 in hospital assistance to teachers injured while performing their duties as Election Boards (EBs). During a press briefing, Garcia revealed that less than 10 teachers were injured: one was bitten by a snake, three were in a vehicular accident, and one suffered a heart attack.
Regarding compensation, Garcia stated that honoraria for teachers in Region 3 (Central Luzon) have begun to be distributed. He assured that teachers in other regions will receive their honoraria by the end of the week, provided that proclamations have been made.
According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), the number of validated election-related incidents (ERIs) for the BSKE 2023 was lower by 12.5 percent compared to the BSKE in 2018. PNP Information Chief and Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo reported 35 ERIs during this election period, 13 of which occurred in the Bangsamoro region. The incidents also included 17 shootings. Fajardo stated that 103 incidents are under investigation, while 99 have been confirmed as non-ERIs.
The PNP is now shifting its focus to post-election activities, including securing the transportation of ballot boxes to the Comelec central office in Manila. Fajardo emphasized that the election period for the BSKE will officially end on November 29, and a gun ban remains in effect until that date. "We have not pulled out any of our police officers until post-election activities are over," said Fajardo during a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.