Election Violence Claims Twenty Lives Since January 12
Since the election period began on January 12 for the May 2025 midterm elections, a total of 20 people have died in 49 confirmed election-related incidents, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported. The rise in election violence has raised concerns about voter safety and security throughout the country.
Most of the fatalities were recorded in the Cordillera Administrative Region, which has been identified as a hotspot for election-related violence. In addition to the deaths, 31 individuals suffered injuries linked to election disturbances.
Types of Election Violence and Current Investigations
Among the 49 validated election-related incidents, the majority involved shootings, accounting for 24 cases. Other types of violence included strafing, explosions, threats, vote-buying, and harassment. These incidents have disrupted the election process and heightened tensions in affected areas.
Regarding the status of these cases, 24 are still under active investigation. Meanwhile, 19 cases have already been filed with the prosecutor’s office, and three have proceeded to the arraignment stage for the suspects involved.
Ongoing Validation and Election Security Measures
The PNP continues to validate 87 suspected election-related incidents, including 51 that occurred on Election Day itself. Despite these challenges, the overall May 2025 midterm elections have been described as generally peaceful.
To improve security, the PNP plans to review and adjust their strategies based on lessons learned from the recent midterm elections. This preparation is especially critical ahead of the parliamentary polls scheduled in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in October, as well as the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections set for December.
For more updates on election violence, visit Filipinokami.com.
