THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to clarify the number of validated election-related incidents (ERIs), saying it was only eight as opposed to 29 the poll body earlier reported.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City, PNP spokesperson and concurrent Police Region III chief Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said she personally coordinated with Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia regarding the matter, pointing out that the Comelec included incidents as early as October, or months ahead of the PNP’s reckoning date which was last Jan. 12.
The validated ERIs included three in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), two in Western Visayas, and one each in the Ilocos Region, the Zamboanga Peninsula, and Soccsksargen, according to the PNP.
These reports involved five shooting incidents, one mauling, one use of explosives, and one cyber libel case.
“A total of four people were killed and four others were injured in these incidents,” according to the PNP.
Last Monday, the Comelec said it has validated 29 ERIs since October last year.
Fajardo maintained however, that ERIs should only cover incidents that happened during the election period, which started on January 12 this year.
“Yesterday, I personally contacted the Comelec just to correct the figures. Our reckoning time is January 12 onwards. Only then will an incident qualify to be considered a suspected election-related incident,” she explained.