The Philippine National Police (PNP) is turning its attention to identifying and prosecuting those responsible for shootings, explosions and other security incidents that disrupted the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections after maintaining security through the final stages of voting.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said he has instructed police personnel to identify the perpetrators and establish strong cases, particularly in connection with the shooting in Cotabato City that left three people dead.
“There are still a handful of individuals in the region who think the old ways still work, we proved them wrong,” Nartatez said, citing the police response and preparations to deal with armed groups that attempted to influence the election outcome.
Nartatez said police operations helped prevent efforts to interfere with voting in several areas through increased visibility, rapid deployment and strategic positioning of personnel under the PNP’s Enhanced Managing Police Operations.
The police also prepared for possible withdrawals by members of boards of election inspectors by deploying officers who had undergone training on election procedures and could assist in addressing such contingencies.
“Now, they have to face the consequences of their actions as a strong message that such a violent mindset has no place in a democratic society which the people in BARMM upheld through the successful parliamentary elections,” he added.
While investigators work to identify those responsible for the deadly shooting and other incidents that affected peace and order, Nartatez said police units will continue securing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) until the election period officially concludes on September 29.
He said investigators have already obtained leads regarding the identities of several suspects and expressed confidence that appropriate charges could be filed soon.
Nartatez earlier attributed the generally peaceful and orderly conduct of the historic BARMM parliamentary elections to the efforts of police officers, soldiers, the Commission on Elections and other stakeholders, as well as security preparations that started as early as last year.
With a number of candidates already proclaimed winners, the PNP is now focused on providing security for the remaining proclamations and other post-election activities until conditions in the region fully normalize.