Manila: Malacanang on Tuesday described the Sept. 14 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections as generally peaceful and orderly despite isolated incidents of violence that resulted in casualties.
According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro cited initial assessments from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Commission on Elections (Comelec) following the region's first parliamentary elections. "The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parliamentary Election conducted on Sept. 14, 2026 was generally peaceful and orderly despite some isolated incidents, particularly in Cotabato City," Castro said, citing a PNP report.
Initial PNP data showed an 82.41 percent voter turnout, which could still increase as remaining voting centers complete the process. The turnout was 4.79 percentage points higher than the 77.62 percent recorded in BARMM during the May 2025 National and Local Elections. The PNP also reported that all election paraphernalia had been accounted for and returned, with no other significant untoward incidents reported as of its initial assessment.
At least five people were reportedly killed and 18 others injured in election-related violence and incidents during the historic elections. Castro likewise cited the Comelec's assessment that the election recorded a high voter turnout, with proclamations expected a day after the polls.
Asked whether Malacanang considered the election successful despite the casualties, Castro said the administration did not condone violence but noted the PNP's overall assessment of the polls. "Although hindi nanaisin ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon na mayroon pong nangyayaring karahasan at ito naman po ang ipinag-uutos ng Pangulo na bantayan mabuti, protektahan ang ating mga kababayan sa mga ganitong klaseng insidente (Although the President and the administration do not want violence to happen, the President has ordered authorities to closely monitor and protect our people from such incidents)," she said.
"But nag-report na po ang PNP. According to PNP, generally peaceful and orderly po iyong naganap na eleksiyon. So, sa pananaw po ng administrasyon ay naging maganda naman po ang naging eleksiyon kahapon sa BARMM (But the PNP has reported that the election was generally peaceful and orderly. So, from the administration's perspective, the election yesterday in BARMM went well)."
Castro, however, said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was not pleased by reports of violence and casualties. "Kahit isang tao lang po ang nasaktan hindi po ikasasaya ng Pangulo (Even if only one person was hurt, the President would not be happy)," she said. "Kahit sabihin po natin generally peaceful and orderly iyong nangyaring eleksiyon kahapon basta po mayroong kahit isa na nasaktan, hindi po magiging maganda ang pakiramdam ninuman lalung-lalo na ng Pangulo (Even if we say the election was generally peaceful and orderly, so long as even one person was hurt, it would not make anyone feel good, especially the President)."
