Comelec, Lente cite 30 ‘isolated incidents’

Michael Bueza

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Reports of ballot box snatching, delays in poll center opening, disruptions in precinct operations, and physical harm on individuals were addressed immediately

GETTING READY. Election officials wait for their assigned poll materials in Lian municipal office in Batangas on October 28, 2013. Photo by Dennis Sabangan / EPA

MANILA, Philippines – Reports of least 30 incidents related to the 2013 barangay polls were gathered by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and a poll watchdog on Monday, October 28.

Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr gave assurances, however, that said these were “isolated, minor cases” that were “resolved immediately.”

As of 1 pm, the Comelec’s command center in the poll body’s main office in Intramuros, Manila, had received at least 18 reports of ballot box snatching, delays in the opening of polling centers, disruptions in precinct operations, and physical harm on individuals.

Brillantes credited election workers’ adherence to the general instructions manual for their quick response to the contingencies.

Every election, the Comelec deputizes public school teachers to assist in the conduct of the polls, and  policemen and soldiers to secure polling areas.

The poll watchdog Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente) also released media bulletins on incidents reported by its volunteers, even as Rappler received reports from journalists in the provinces.

The poll body, however, is still awaiting more reports from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), where delayed precinct openings and instances of poll-related violence were also reported. (READ: Poll tension in future Bangsamoro)

Here is a consolidated list of election-related reports:

BALLOT SNATCHING
Tabuan-Lasa, Basilan Official ballots and other election paraphernalia were snatched from one clustered precinct minutes after polls opened
DELAY IN OPENING OF POLLS
Catubig, Northern Samar Opening of polls delayed due to ballot snatching in one clustered precinct in Barangay San Antonio. Board of election tellers (BET) refused to serve after the incident
– Precinct opened at 1 pm after BET was replaced by 1 Comelec official and 2 PNP personnel 
Cuartero, Capiz Opening of polls delayed in one clustered precinct in Barangay Mahabang Sapa, when the BET chairman and the election paraphernalia fell into a river while crossing the bridge in a motorcycle
– Polls resumed at 1 pm after emergency ballots were sent
Vinzons, Camarines Norte Opening of polls delayed in 3 barangays (Banocboc, Pinagtigasan, and Mankawayan) due to late arrival of election paraphernalia.
– Voting in all barangays was ongoing as of 11:30 am
DISRUPTIONS IN POLLING PRECINCT OPERATIONS
Banisilan, North Cotabato 7 precincts were temporarily closed in Barangay Salama due to misunderstanding between supporters of 2 candidates for barangay captain
Carles, Iloilo Tension among candidates in 3 barangays due to land ownership issues
Pikit, North Cotabato Confusion as to where the elections should take place
Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte 2 clustered precincts were transferred to another barangay due to unstable peace and order conditions
Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat A gunfire incident took place at around 8:30 am in Barangay Udtong; 4 clustered precincts were affected
– voting resumed 10:30 am 
Malabon City Missing ballots in Barangay Tonsuya
– emergency ballots were requested 
Nueva Valencia, Guimaras BETs were harassed in barangays San Roque and Lucmayan
Sta. Mesa, Manila Fire gutted the old school building of Padre Burgos Elementary School on the eve of the polls
– polls resumed in time after the 7 affected clustered precincts were transferred to the new school building 
SHOOTING AND PHYSICAL HARM
Cuartero, Capiz Shooting transpired between 2 groups of barangay kagawads in Barangay Nagba
Digos City, Davao del Sur A Molotov bomb explosion occured outside Don Mariano Marcos Elemenary School and Isaac Abalayan Elementary School
Digos City, Davao del Sur A strafing incident in Mati barangay hall killed one barangay tanod
Kabacan, North Cotabato A shooting incident in front of a police outpust in Brgy. Poblacion killed PO3 Sony Uro
Mariveles, Bataan The house of barangay captain Abel Lopez was strafed
Midsayap, North Cotabato A strafing incident took place in 2 barangays: Macasindig and Ulandang
Rosario, Agusan del Sur Voters were held up by a group of armed men who are allegedly supporters of a candidate for barangay captain in Barangay Marfil
San Enrique, Iloilo Harassment of registered voters by one Rolando Cordero, the vice mayor and members of the Sangguniang Bayan in 2 clustered precincts
Toboso, Negros Occidental 2 persons died after they were shot allegedly by a candidate for barangay captain and his companions at around 7 am in Sitio Kinalumasan, Barangay Poblacion
ELECTION OFFENSES (reported by LENTE)
Borongan, Eastern Samar Unlawful electioneering in Barangay D2
Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Campaigning and unlawful electioneering in Barangay Canitoan
Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro Campaigning and unlawful electioneering in Barangay Calero
Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro
Santiago City, Isabela
Candidates loitering in polling precincts
Ilocos Sur
Jolo, Sulu
Palawan 
Vote buying and vote selling
Las Piñas City
Matanog, Maguindanao
Quezon City 
Santiago City, Isabela 
Flying voters were reported
Makati City Campaigning and unlawful electioneering in Barangay Guadalupe
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Campaigning and unlawful electioneering in Barangay Tiniguiban
Tacloban City, Leyte Campaigning and unlawful electioneering in Barangay Kapangian


– Rappler.com

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Michael Bueza

Michael is a data curator under Rappler's Tech Team. He works on data about elections, governance, and the budget. He also follows the Philippine pro wrestling scene and the WWE. Michael is also part of the Laffler Talk podcast trio.