Guest contributor:
- DR. DIMAPUNO ALONTO “JUN” DATU-RAMOS, Regional Director, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos-National Capital Region (NCMF-NCR)
Short link: https://wp.me/paaccn-xQb
THOUGHTS | There needs to be some intervention in BARMM when it comes to voter education, values formation among candidates, supporters, voters and strengthening of peaceful democratic processes. If we do it right, the next election may have a significant drop in violence and conflicts.
Maybe the COMELEC should consider doing online voting for BARMM so that there will be less physical contact among voters and candidates’ supporters. There should always be a COMELEC Commissioner who is a Bangsamoro and who has extensive experience about the culture and traditions including election behavior in BARMM areas.
Here are some of the incidents in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) that make the region’s BSKE 2023 proceedings the saddest in the country (Source: CNN Philippines).
Maguindanao del Norte
– Two residents were sent to the hospital after a violent commotion due to the snatching of ballot boxes in Datu Manguda Mangilay Elementary School in Sultan Kudarat. Voting has been stopped since 8 AM.
– Gunshots were fired in SPDA, Brgy. Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat. Some voters were trapped in polling precincts
-In Brgy. Gulango, Datu Odin Sinsuat, members of the Indigenous People were not able to vote and they transferred to Datu Odin Sinsuat proper.
– Only a few IPs were able to cast their vote in Brgys. Tapian and Kusiong because of fear that violence may erupt once the military leave after the elections.
– Tension erupted in Sarilikha National High School in Brgy. Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat. A man was hit in the neck by a gunshot.
Maguindanao del Sur
– One was wounded after being hit by shrapnel from an M79 launcher when gunshots were fired in Brgy. Kabuling, Pandag. Rumble and riots were also reported in the municipality. Heightened alert among security forces with several gunshots heard.
– Tension escalated in Kayupo Elementary School in Pandag after gunshots were heard. Security forces are on heightened alert.
– Voters queued up early in Darampua Elementary, Sultan sa Barongis. Some of the problems encountered were voters who couldn’t find their names in the voter’s list.
– A riot erupted in the boundary of Brgy. Lao-Lao, General Salipada K. Pendatun, involving the group of an MILF commander.
– Ongoing fighting in Brgy. Salbo, Datu Saudi Amptuan, involving candidates and their supporters from Brgy. Elian.
– Tensions erupted in Brgy. Salam, Paglat, after supporters of a candidate blocked the road while the ballot boxes were being transported to the Municipal Hall. This caused fear among the members of the BEIs. Security forces responded to the incident and the election paraphernalia were brought to the venue of vote counting and canvassing around 6:20 PM.
– One minor stabbed while three victims mauled outside voting precincts in Cotabato
-Shoot out incident in Pandag, Maguindanao del Sur
Lanao del Sur
– There was a commotion in several polling precincts in Marawi City due to escalating tensions between the supporters of rival candidates, allegedly supported by incumbent city officials.
– A rumble was reported in Brgy. Poblacion, Marawi City between supporters of two candidates.
-Aspiring chairman shot by sibling in the Municipality of Butig, Lanao del Sur
– Commotion of an opposing parties in Lanao del Sur resulting in a death of a teacher (Electoral Board Member)
– Supporters of a candidate asked for the military to leave a polling precinct in Brgy. Mipuga, Marawi City.
– Tension rose in Brgy. Pamping, Marawi City due to shouting between supporters and voters.
– Riot erupted in Brgy. Bangolo, Marawi City, due to flying voters.
– The army fired warning shots in Brgy. Madaya, Marawi City, to control the crowd.
– A video circulating online shows gunshots being fired in Brgy. Balintao, Maguing, which caused fear and panic among voters. One was injured in the incident.
– As of 5:59PM, close to 90 percent of polling precincts are closed in Marogong.
– In Malabang, canvassing is about to start after voting was completed across all polling precincts.
– Commotion ensued in Brgy. Butig Proper after fistfights due to slow voting process inside the precincts.
– A photo shows a resident who chained herself to the ballot box in Brgy. Tubok, Malabang, to protest against the canvassing in the municipality.
– Another shooting incident erupted in Bayabao Central Elementary School in Brgy. Bayabao, Butig, which resulted in one death.
– A commotion erupted in Tugaya, Lanao del Sur, after elections closed in the area.
– Three alleged flying voters were rushed to the hospital after they were beat up and sustained injuries in Brgy. Torus, Marawi City.
Island Provinces/Lanao del Norte (Lanao del Norte not part of BARMM but under Moro leadership)
– A reelectionist barangay kagawad and a member of the CAFGU were killed in a shooting incident shortly before the elections closed in Brgy. Luksumbang, Lamitan City, Basilan.
– Police report two minor incidents in Brgy. Lato-Lato in Bongao and Tubig-Dayang in South Ubian, both in Tawi-Tawi, which resulted to minor physical injuries.
– Voter died in Basilan
– Meanwhile in Lanao del Norte, a fistfight occurred among supporters of rival bets in Nunungan town prior to the opening of the elections. A video was released by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Cotabato City. (✓)
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Words, statements in this opinion article are purely of the author.