Fewer poll-related violence reported in 2019

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said election-related violent incidents (ERVI) were fewer by 55 percent during the 2019 midterm elections than in the 2016 elections.

PNP spokesperson Colonel Bernard Banac said on Friday, June 7, that 60 ERVI were recorded from January 13 to June 6, 55 percent lower than the 133 ERVI recorded in 2016.

Of the 60 ERVIs, 51 incidents were recorded before the May 13 election while eight cases happened on Election Day and one was reported as post-election related violence.

Banac said 113 victims were involved in the 60 ERVIs. Of the total, 23 were killed, 46 were injured while 44 were unharmed.

In the 2016 presidential elections, 50 people were reported killed.

Banac said the marked decrease is attributed to the early security preparations made by the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Commission on Elections, the cooperation of the public and the relentless conduct of operations of the PNP against loose firearms, private armed groups and the implementation of search and arrest warrants.

Banac said 5,191 firearms were confiscated or surrendered during the said period while 49,499 other deadly weapons were seized in the conduct of police operations within the election period.

He said 6,226 persons were arrested for various offenses at checkpoints and during patrolling response and implementation of search and arrest warrants.

Banac reminded that the gun ban is still in effect until June 12, which is the end of the election period.