Comelec eyes cases vs individuals in Shariff Aguak shooting

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) vowed to file criminal cases against individuals involved in a shooting incident in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur on the last day of filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for Eleksyon 2025.

"Hindi kami papayag na walang mapa-file-an ng kaso [kaugnay ng insidente] sapagkat tatandaan ng lahat, maaaring hindi pa sila kandidato at kandidato lang sila sa March 28 sa lokal na posisyon, mayroon po kasing mga kasong kriminal na puwedeng isampa ang Comelec patungkol during the filing of the COCs," Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia told Balitanghali on Thursday.

(We will not allow that nobody will be charged over the incident. They may have yet to be declared as candidates, but we can still file criminal cases related to the filing of COCs.)

"Ibig sabihin, mayroong pong mga aksyon na pupuwede na kaming magsampa ng kaso," he said.

(This means we can take actions and file charges.)

Five individuals were injured in Shariff Aguak as tensions rose on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 on the last day of COC filing, according to a 24 Oras report.

A series of Facebook live streams from the Shariff Aguak municipal police showed cops responding to gunshots near the town's municipal hall, as well as people throwing rocks.

In the meantime, Garcia said, Shariff Aguak may be declared under code yellow—or areas with a history of political unrest.

"Markado na po 'yung area na 'yan at therefore during the conduct of the election, preparatory sa election, maaaring magdagdag tayo ng security forces sa area na 'yan," the poll chief said.

(We already marked the areas and therefore, during the conduct and preparations or the elections, we can augment security forces there.)

"Again, commitment ng Comelec, we will be filing cases," he added.

(The Comelec is committed to file cases.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News