PNP: 1 validated poll-related incident, so far

Police officers stationed at a Commission on Elections checkpoint on Padre Burgos Avenue in Manila monitor passing vehicles in this file photo in January 2025. At least 14 checkpoints will be set up around Manila to maintain public safety and order during the election period, which began on Jan. 12.( INQUIRER file photo / RICHARD A. REYES)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has so far validated one of the three suspected election-related incidents (ERIs), according to its spokespersonm Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo. 

Citing the latest National Election Monitoring Action Center data, Fajardo disclosed that the validated case was logged in Western Visayas.

“As of February 1, we recorded three suspected ERIs. One each in Region 1, Region 2, and Region 6,” the PNP official said in Filipino during a press briefing on Monday. 

“And the validated ERI is in Region 6 concerning the destruction of tarpaulins involving a candidate’s relative,” she added. 

On the other hand, NEMAC’s records showed that four previously suspected ERIs were confirmed to be non-election related.

Of the four three were monitored in Western Visayas and one in Soccsksargen.

Earlier, Fajardo explained that a case is considered a suspected ERI if it happened during the election period (January 12 to June 11) and if the suspect or victim is either a candidate, a close relative of the candidate, a supporter, or a Commission on Elections official. 

The PNP imposed a nationwide gun ban last January 12.

The police force said that its imposition of a gun ban is aimed at ensuring peace and order, as the government believes it could