Mimaropa region has remained free of election-related violent incidents since the start of the election period on Jan. 12, 2025, according to the Police Regional Office (PRO) 4B.

“Since the start of the election period in January, Mimaropa has remained free of election-related incidents,” said PRO-4B chief Brig. Gen. Roger Quesada in a statement.

The region encompasses the provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.

Regional police have implemented strict enforcement of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban, resulting in four arrests.

Authorities have confiscated two small firearms, eight rounds of ammunition, and six other prohibited weapons, including replicas, improvised weapons, and bladed instruments.

Violators face charges under Comelec Resolution No. 10728, which prohibits carrying firearms and other deadly weapons during the election period.

“The presence of nearly 10,000 checkpoints has been instrumental in keeping the campaign period peaceful and preventing any untoward incidents,” Quesada said.

The PRO-4B chief pledged continued collaboration with Comelec, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Education, and other stakeholders to maintain peace through the May 12 elections.

Quesada urged public vigilance against electoral fraud, particularly vote-buying, which he said “undermines the integrity of the election process.”

The country has struggled with election-related violence for decades.

The 2019 midterm elections saw 20 people killed and 24 injured in election-related incidents nationwide, according to Philippine National Police data.

The 2016 presidential election recorded 12 deaths and 18 injuries.

Most violent incidents typically occur in areas with intense political rivalries or presence of private armed groups.

The 2009 Maguindanao massacre, the deadliest election-related violence in Philippine history, resulted in 58 deaths when supporters and relatives of a gubernatorial candidate were ambushed.

Recent elections have shown improvement in security measures, with authorities implementing gun bans, checkpoints, and heightened police presence in identified election hotspots.

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