PNP: 11 validated election-related incidents so far

Headquarters of the Philippine National Police and its logo. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has monitored 11 validated election-related incidents (ERIs) since the start of the poll period on January 12.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo on Monday, March 10, disclosed that suspected ERIs already reached 25.

“Of the 11 validated, one was monitored in Region 1, two in Region 6, one in Region 9, one in Region 12, one in CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region), and five in BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao),” Fajardo said in Filipino during a press briefing.

READ: PNP: 1,398 individuals arrested for violating election gun ban

Of the 11 validated ERIs, seven were shooting, one cyber-libel case, one mauling, one ambush, and an explosion, she added.

Fajardo earlier explained that an incident is considered a suspected ERI if it happened during the election period, from 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.

Last January 12, the PNP imposed a nationwide gun ban as the election period begins for the upcoming May 2025 polls.

According to PNP, the gun aims to ensure peace and order, as the government believes it could lessen gun-related violence during the upcoming midterm polls.