MANILA, Philippines — The number of election-related incidents dropped by nearly 55 percent in the May 13 elections compared to the 2016 polls, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.
From Jan. 13 to June 7, the PNP recorded 60 incidents. The figure is 54.88 percent lower compared to the 133 cases documented during the 2016 national elections.
The election period is until June 12.
PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde attributed the decrease in the number of incidents to intervention measures to reduce risk factors, such as serving of pending search warrants and law enforcement operations against private armed groups, criminal gangs and owners of loose firearms.
Of the 60 incidents, 51 occurred before election day. Eight cases occurred on May 13 and one after the polls.
At least 23 people were killed and 46 others wounded, PNP spokesman Col. Bernard Banac said.
The PNP said perpetrators of the attacks would be charged in court.
“We will double our efforts in the campaign against those involved in the incidents and put them all behind bars,” Banac said.