Four killed, 15 wounded in election violence in Philippines’ Bangsamoro region

Four people were killed and at least 15 others wounded in two incidents in Cotabato City, Philippines, hours before voting began in the first parliamentary elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Monday (14 September).

Three people were killed and 15 wounded in a shooting involving supporters of rival political groups outside Datu Usman Mampen Elementary School in Barangay Bagua 2.

A separate explosion near a school in Cotabato City on Sunday night left one man dead, according to reports. Authorities were investigating whether the incidents were connected.

Shooting erupts after dispute between political supporters

Cotabato City police chief Col Jibin Bongcayao said the shooting began after supporters of rival political factions became involved in a dispute over their position in a queue near the school.

The confrontation reportedly began at about 5am with jostling between supporters identified by authorities as belonging to the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) and Bangsamoro Federal Party (BFP) camps.

Bongcayao said the dispute escalated from shoving to a fistfight before gunfire broke out in the crowded area.

Among those wounded was local councilor Marouph Pabo Pasawiran. Three people, including an 88-year-old resident, were killed.

Police recovered shell casings believed to have come from .45-calibre and 9mm firearms.

Bongcayao said those involved belonged to rival political groups that emerged from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a former rebel organisation that signed a peace agreement with the Philippine government in 2014.

Separate explosion leaves one dead

A separate explosion was reported on Sunday night near a school in the MB Kalanganan area of Cotabato City.

According to the Philippine Star, a male resident of Poblacion 1 was injured after reportedly seeing a bright light and hearing a blast while waiting for his construction foreman.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia later said the Philippine National Police had determined that the explosion involved an improvised explosive device.

The man was taken for emergency treatment but later died in hospital, according to an Agence France-Presse report cited by the Philippine Star.

Authorities were continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the explosion.

Comelec takes control of Cotabato City

The incidents came as voters across the Bangsamoro region began casting ballots in the area’s first parliamentary elections.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) placed Cotabato City under its control following the violence and security concerns.

The measure gives Comelec direct authority over local officials, government employees and law enforcement personnel involved in election-related operations, allowing the poll body to direct security deployments and other measures.

More than 20,000 security personnel were deployed across the Bangsamoro region, with quick-response teams placed on standby.

Separate security incidents were also reported elsewhere in the region, including gunfire at Dilausan Elementary School in Lumbaca-Unayan, Lanao del Sur, according to the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.

Media reports also cited gunfire at Central Pilot School in Cotabato City, prompting the deployment of Philippine Marines and police.

First parliamentary elections for Bangsamoro

The elections mark a major stage in the peace process that led to the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, replacing the previous autonomous government with an elected parliament.

More than two million voters are eligible to elect 80 members of the first regular Bangsamoro Parliament.

In Marawi City, voters formed long queues outside polling stations early Monday as soldiers, police officers and armoured vehicles provided security.

Despite concerns over possible unrest, 18-year-old voter Mohammad Actar Macabada told AFP he was excited to cast his ballot.

The election was also disrupted by other reported irregularities. In Maluso, Basilan, Comelec said ballots in 36 of the municipality’s 68 precincts had allegedly been pre-shaded before voting began.

Comelec ordered the affected ballots to be reprinted and placed Maluso under its control. Voting continued in the municipality’s remaining 32 precincts.

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting also reported alleged vote-buying and multiple voting in parts of Maguindanao del Norte.

Authorities said investigations into the violence and alleged election irregularities were continuing as voting proceeded across the Bangsamoro region.