Four Men Arrested After Fistfight in Cotabato City Voting Precinct
Four men were arrested following a fistfight while waiting in line at a voting precinct in Cotabato City Central Pilot School on Monday morning. The incident sparked concern among voters and election officials.
One of the arrested individuals claimed that someone tried to sabotage the automated counting machines (ACM) in the precinct. He said, “May pumasok na lahat naman pinagsasarado, pinagsisira yung mga paraphernalias at yung mga PCOS machines. Botante kami, sir.” This means someone entered and damaged the election materials and machines, even though they were simply voters.
Conflicting Claims on Machine Tampering
However, the accused denied these allegations. He argued, “Yung mga watchers namin, pinapalabas nila, nila-lock nila yung pinto. Sinabi nila na nasira ang mga paraphernalias, walang nasira doon, sir.” According to him, their watchers were asked to leave and the doors were locked, but nothing was actually damaged.
Police Cite Chaotic Queue as Cause of Fistfight
The Cotabato City Police suggested that the real cause of the fistfight was the disorganized line. Police Colonel Jibin Bongcayao explained, “May nagkaroon ng suntukan. Pinacify natin. Ang dahilan pala, magulo yung pila.” In English, there was a fight which they managed to calm down, and the reason was the chaotic queue.
Furthermore, police officers found no evidence of any attempt to commit electoral fraud. Colonel Bongcayao said, “Sa point of view, wala naman akong nakita. May watchers naman sila. Mag-reklamo yung mga watchers nila.” This means he personally saw nothing suspicious, and since watchers were present, they can file complaints if needed.
Settlement Reached Among Parties Involved
Despite the tension, the parties involved have already reached a settlement, peacefully resolving the matter. Authorities continue to monitor the situation to ensure a smooth election process.
The incident highlights the importance of orderly queue management and clear communication during elections to prevent misunderstandings and conflicts.