PNP: Validated election-related killings increased to 20

A total of 20 people were killed in 49 validated election-related incidents since the start of the election period on January 12 for the May 2025 midterm polls, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.

At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said most of the fatalities were reported in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Meanwhile, 31 people were also injured.

Fajardo said most of the validated election-related incidents involved shooting with 24 cases. Other incidents involved strafing, explosion, threat, vote-buying, harassment, among others.

Of the validated cases, Fajardo said 24 are still under investigation; 19 were filed before the prosecutor’s office; and three reached the arraignment of suspects.

The PNP is still validating 87 suspected election-related incidents including the 51 cases that happened on Election Day.

Despite reports of violence and delays in the voting process in some areas, the PNP said the May 2025 midterm elections have been generally peaceful.

Fajardo said the PNP will review security strategies from the recent midterm elections in preparation for the parliamentary polls in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in October as well as for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in December. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.