Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) will pursue cases against those behind shootings, explosions, and other incidents during Monday's inaugural Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said on Wednesday. Nartatez ordered investigators to identify those responsible and build strong cases, particularly in the Cotabato City shooting that killed three people. He said arrests and seized evidence will form part of the basis for filing charges following investigations.
According to Philippines News Agency, Nartatez emphasized that all cases, including the Cotabato City shooting, will be pursued after thorough investigations. He stated, "Lahat ng mga cases na yan, the one plus 15, all of it ay mapa-filan ng kaso (All those cases, the one plus 15, all of it, will be filed cases) after the conduct of due investigation." Arrests have already been made, and evidence has been seized, which will support the filing of charges. Nartatez conveyed a strong message that such violent acts have no place in a democratic society, which was demonstrated by the successful parliamentary elections in BARMM.
While the PNP is determined to hold accountable those responsible for the disruptions, Nartatez assured that police forces are equally committed to securing BARMM until the election period concludes on Sept. 29. He highlighted the high voter turnout, which reached 83 percent, as evidence of the successful elections in the region. Despite the 15 election-related violence incidents reported from two months before Sept. 14 until now, Nartatez noted that the elections were generally peaceful.
Reports of gun attacks and explosions emerged from Basilan, Cotabato City, and Maguindanao del Sur during the elections. An improvised explosive device (IED) was also recovered in Basilan. Police and military forces responded promptly to these incidents to prevent further escalation.
Nartatez mentioned that there are promising leads in identifying some of the culprits and expressed optimism that cases would be filed soon. He credited the peaceful and orderly conduct of BARMM's historic elections to the dedication of law enforcement, the Commission on Elections (Comelec), and other stakeholders, as well as the security preparations initiated last year.
A number of election winners have been proclaimed, and Nartatez stated that their focus is on ensuring the security of all formal proclamations and post-election activities until the situation stabilizes.
