By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Along with the release of the results of BARMM’s first parliamentary elections came the assessment of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the historic event, which came across as generally peaceful and orderly amid isolated incidents of violence.
This came as Malacañang welcomed the high voter turnout in what it describes as a significant milestone that would pave the way towards further prosperity, as well as lasting peace and order in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The PNP reported an initial voter turnout of 82.41%, which could still increase as the remaining voting centers complete the process. The figure was 4.79 percentage points higher than the 77.62% turnout recorded in BARMM during the May 2025 national and local elections.
In a briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the PNP had also reported that all election paraphernalia had been accounted for and returned, with no other significant untoward incidents reported.
Asked whether Malacañang considered the elections successful despite the casualties, Usec. Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his administration did not want violence to mar the democratic exercise and had instructed authorities to protect the public.
“Although hindi nanaisin ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon na ito na mayroon nangyayaring karahasan at ito naman ang ipinag-uutos ng Pangulo na bantayan mabuti, protektahan ang ating mga kababayan sa mga ganitong klaseng insidente but nag-report na po ang PNP, according to PNP, generally peaceful and orderly iyong naganap na eleksiyon.”
The Malacañang official concluded by expressing serious concern about the reported violence that transpired during the poll that resulted in casualties, which remains a serious matter under the watchful supervision of the Chief Executive despite the peaceful assessment of the situation.
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