At halfway point, AFP, PNP say Eleksyon 2019 ‘generally peaceful’

Both the police and military on Monday said the national and local midterm elections has so far been peaceful with only "minimal" disruptions to the peace and order.

As of 2:40 p.m., Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Information Office chief Colonel Noel Detoyato said there were last minute attempts to disrupt the elections, but the military was quick to respond to these "very minimal breach of peace and order."

"There were last minute attempts to disrupt the conduct of elections but these were immediately addressed by our security forces," Detoyato said in his initial assessment.

Philippine National Police chief Police General Oscar Albayalde also said conduct of elections so far remains "generally peaceful."

"Aside from some confusions, queuing, and delays during the start of the elections, there were no untoward incidents that distracted the holding of the election proper," Albayalde told reporters in his afternoon press briefing.

Albayalde said he expects this assessment until polling precincts close at 6 p.m.

Detoyato, for his part, said the steady conduct of the elections is the result of the months-long coordination between the AFP, PNP, and the Commission on Elections.

"In a few hours, polling precincts will close and only then can we breath a sigh of relief if indeed our efforts has paid off," Detoyato said.

At least two explosions rocked Cotabato City and Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao hours before the polling precincts open on Monday, with another explosion in the latter an hour after the casting of votes.

A shooting incident was also reported in Panglima Estino, Sulu which left nine injured. —NB, GMA News