During the local elections on Monday, a grenade attack sparked a brutal gun battle between political rivals within the new autonomous Muslim region of southern Mindanao. Tragically, at least two people, including a child, passed away in the pandemonium. This version was confirmed by the Philippine Army, who first reported the clash. An official of the Basilan provincial disaster office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region increased the death toll to four. This event further highlights the country’s historically alarming record of election-related violence, especially across the secessionist south at these unstable times.
These elections will decide more than 18,000 seats, from state legislatures and the U.S. House of Representatives to mayors and city council members. Thousands of military personnel, fire department members, and other agencies have been mobilized to ensure peace during this critical electoral process. It led the government to mobilize 163,000 national police officers throughout the country. They are patrolling polling places, protecting election workers, and guarding entry points.
Armed conflicts between local political rivals, often with ties to the national government, are a long-standing occurrence in the southern Philippines. This year in particular, the pot boiled over when Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. endorsed seven candidates who are polling in the top twelve. Four of these candidates are backing Marcos’ vice president, Sara Duterte. If she takes a leading role in this electoral cycle, she will have done all this.
Rodrigo Duterte has recently gained international notoriety for his actions in Davao City. He’s hell bent on winning back his old job as mayor of Newark. Meanwhile, Sara Duterte’s ambitions for a future presidential run hinge on her ability to secure at least nine votes in the 24-seat Senate.
It was a great day, but the election day wasn’t without its challenges. But high-profile failures like the reports of voting machines “overheating” during extreme heat spread like wildfire on social media, raising panic and urgency. Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair George Garcia admitted these technical issues but failed to provide details.
Voters responded by risking their lives to vote and showing their commitment to participating in the face of hostility and violence surrounding the elections. Rizza Bacolod, a voter at one of the polling stations, recounted her experience:
“There was no pushing, but it was cramped. It was difficult, but we endured so that we could vote.” – Rizza Bacolod
For fellow voter, Agasa, the need for voters to make deliberate choices during this pivotal moment couldn’t be overstated.
“I hope we choose the deserving, those who can help the country.” – Agasa
The Philippines is known for a long history of politically motivated killings. That is particularly the case for Mindanao, where local political rivalries often emerge in armed conflict. All of these changes we have enumerated above raise fundamental issues of electoral integrity and citizen safety on Election Day.
As the day continues and more results are counted, often in the dark of night, local authorities are on guard for an explosion of anti-democratic violence. We appreciate the government’s commitment to keeping the peace over what is a critical time. We hope this commitment will turn the political tides, here and everywhere, for years to come.
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