At least 10 dead, 15 injured in Election Day violence

MANILA, Philippines — At least 10 people were killed and 15 were injured yesterday as violence erupted in parts of the country during the midterm elections.

Despite the cases of violence on election day, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Marbil said the conduct of the electoral exercise was relatively peaceful, which he attributed to the massive deployment of security forces across the country.

“Very peaceful. Our arrests are continuous. Like I said, those who will instigate chaos will be removed and we want arrests,” Marbil told reporters on the sidelines of his inspection at the Quezon City Police District.

In Bayang town in Lanao del Sur, unidentified assailants gunned down Afganie Balt Taha, who was running for councilor in the municipality, as well as his brother Walid, chairman of Barangay Sumbag, also in Bayang.

According to the police, the two were on their way to a polling precinct at the Mauyag Papandayan National High School in Brgy. Rinabor when they were ambushed.

The victims, who were declared dead on arrival at a hospital, hail from a big Maranao clan locked in intense political rivalry in the province.

In Negros Occidental, two people were killed while seven others were injured after a shooting incident around 7 a.m. at Sitio Ipil Ipil in Brgy. Mambulac, Silay City.

Police identified one of the assailants as Arnie Benedicto, barangay chairman of Lantad in Silay City.

Victims Albert Salimbot and Ronnie Piedad died on the spot, while seven others sustained injuries.

Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego said the victims were his volunteer watchers.

“We assure the community that justice will be served. Our teams are on the ground and fully engaged. We urge residents to remain calm, cooperate with authorities and report any information that may aid in the immediate capture of the suspects,” Police Regional Office Negros Island Region Director Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay said.

In Dinas town in Zamboanga del Sur, a political supporter identified only as Samsodin was killed during a shootout between two political rivals past midnight yesterday.

Meanwhile, his male companion was injured during the firefight at Purok 3 in Brgy. Guinicolalay.

The police recovered an abandoned Toyota Hilux pickup truck, 19 empty shells of 5.56mm ammunition, seven empty shells of caliber .45 pistol, an assault rifle and a sling bag containing P12,670 and a sample ballot.

In the island town of Hadji Muhtamad in Basilan, three persons, including a poll watcher, were killed while two others were injured during an alleged maritime ambush off Sangbay Big Island.

According to former mayor Hadji Jamar Mansul, who is running for reelection, what transpired was not an “encounter” but an ambush because they were unarmed, contrary to police claims.

Mansul, who was aboard his speedboat at the time, said he just landed in Sangbay with 15 supporters and relatives when they heard gunfire at sea.

Killed in the incident were Murasidul Kidong Abdurahman, a poll watcher, and Samier Allil Jamiri and Ben Bakil, supporters and relatives of Mansul.

As per the survivors, the attackers were onboard two speedboats.

Also in Basilan, supporters of rival factions clashed, leaving two dead and three wounded in Brgy. Suligan, Tapiantana Island in Tabuan-Lasa town.

Municipal police identified the fatalities as Uni Muhammad and Simbid Ambutong.

Hostilities

In Port Holland Central School in Brgy. Port Holland, Maluso, Basilan, watchers from a political camp threatened to kill reporters covering the elections.

“We have our own policy here and you media are just bringing trouble,” one of the watchers said.

“If you insist on taking photos, I will kill you,” another remarked.

Still in Basilan, supporters of the incumbent mayor in Albarka town and those of his rival figured in a brawl, interrupting voting proceedings in Brgy. Magkawa. — Roel Pareño, Gilbert Bayoran, John Unson, Rhodina Villanueva, Ramon Lazaro, Artemio Dumlao, Ric Sapnu, EJ Macabbabad