Despite overall declarations from election authorities that the inaugural parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) ran smoothly, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed deep regret over isolated outbreaks of violence that left several individuals dead and injured.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro conveyed the Chief Executive’s reaction during a press briefing on Tuesday, emphasizing his zero-tolerance stance on election-related casualties.
“Kahit isang tao lang po ang nasaktan, hindi po ikasasaya ng Pangulo. Kahit sabihin po natin generally peaceful and orderly iyong nangyaring eleksiyon,” Castro said.
“Basta po mayroong kahit isa na nasaktan, hindi po magiging maganda ang pakiramdam ninuman lalung-lalo na ng Pangulo,” she added.
Both the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) assessed the landmark September 14 regional elections as generally peaceful and orderly, though security forces noted localized disturbances, particularly within Cotabato City.
According to preliminary figures compiled by the PNP and Comelec, voter participation reached 82.41 percent. The high engagement reflects a 4.79 percentage-point increase over the 77.62 percent voter turnout recorded across the BARMM region during the May 2025 National and Local Elections.
Castro confirmed that all election materials and paraphernalia had been successfully retrieved and accounted for, with initial evaluations recording no additional major incidents following the close of voting.
Despite the positive logistical outcome, the polling period was marred by bloodshed, with reports confirming that at least five people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries during election-related clashes and incidents.