Comelec: Campaign period for Eleksyon 2025 'generally peaceful'

Despite incidences of violence, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Thursday that the campaign period for Eleksyon 2025 has been “generally peaceful” so far.

“Generally peaceful ang buong Pilipinas. Kahit ang Negros Island Region, generally peaceful,” poll chief George Erwin Garcia told reporters.

(The campaign period was generally peaceful both for the Philippines and the Negros Island Region.)

“Pinapanatili ng mga kandidato na kung meron man silang away, salitaan lang pero walang sakitan. Okay lang yun basta may respeto,” said Garcia.

(The candidates may have disagreements but they were not being violent with each other. That is alright as long are they are respectful to one another.)

Last week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that the number of validated election-related incidents (ERIs) ahead of the May elections has increased to 30. Of the figures, 22 of the validated ERIs were “violent” and eight were “non-violent.”

Most of the validated violent ERIs were reported in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with eight, followed by Cordillera Administrative Region with six and Zamboanga Peninsula with three.

One validated violent ERI each were in the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Eastern Visayas, Davao Region, and Soccsksargen.

“Kumpara noong 2019 at 2020, di hamak na mas mababa pero siyempte may 11 days pa tyao at ayaw natin magbigay ng pinal na conclusion,” said Garcia.

(Compared to 2019 and 2020, there were fewer ERIs. However, there is still 11 days leading to the elections so we don’t want to give a final conclusion.)

“Ang maganda, napapanatili natin na maayos ang kampanya,” he said.

(What’s important is the campaign period remains orderly.)

‘Red’ areas of concern

As of May 1, the Comelec said 36 areas are now under the “red” category of the election areas of concern — lower than the 38 identified in January. This means the areas have serious threat of election-related violence.

Meanwhile, two areas — Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur and Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte — were declared under Comelec control ahead of Eleksyon 2025 due to reported incidences of violence in the municipalities.

Under Comelec control, the poll body will have immediate and direct control and supervision over national and local officials and employees. It will also have full control and supervision over all national and local law enforcement agencies.

The Philippines will hold its midterm elections on May 12. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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