PNP on heightened alert after shooting at COC filing in Shariff Aguak

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Marbil has ordered officers to “increase vigilance” after a shooting at a certificate of candidacy (COC) filing event in Maguindanao del Sur, according to PNP spokesperson BGen. Jean Fajardo.

In a briefing on Wednesday, Fajardo said Marbil wanted the PNP to tighten security, especially in areas with intense political rivalries.

On Tuesday, the final day or COC filing, shots were fired near the municipal hall in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, where the local COC filing was taking place, leaving a village guard dead and injuring six.

READ: Village guard killed, 6 hurt in Shariff Aguak COC filing violence

“We expect things to get even more heated, especially on the side of supporters,” Fajardo said in Filipino.

Fajardo, however, said the incident in Shariff Aguak could not be counted as “election-related” since the election period will officially start on January 12, 2025, but the police cannot discount the possibility that it was politically motivated.

Apart from the incident, the week-long COC filing period was “generally peaceful,” she said.

“We did not record any incident in any corner of our country, except for this incident. So in general, the COC filing was peaceful, orderly, and safe nationwide,” he added.