Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) is investigating seven incidents classified as suspected election-related incidents (ERIs) during the inaugural parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). These incidents resulted in three fatalities and 15 injuries, as reported by an official on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, PNP information chief Col. Allen Rae Co stated that the incidents involved three shootings, three explosions, and the discovery of an improvised explosive device (IED) in Basilan. During a press briefing at Camp Crame, Co detailed that the shootings occurred in Basilan, Cotabato, and Maguindanao del Sur, while the explosions took place in Cotabato. The IED was located in Basilan.

"In the shooting incident, unfortunately, three [are] deceased as of now and 15 are injured in the shooting incident in front of one of the elementary schools there in Cotabato," Co informed reporters. The PNP is considering these incidents as suspected ERIs due to their timing coinciding with the eve of or during the elections for seats in the Bangsamoro Parliament.

Authorities are still working to establish the circumstances and motives behind the incidents, Co added. "We are still trying to find out. We are still investigating," he said, noting that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) initially assessed that the shooting incidents might have been attempts to disrupt the electoral process.

Despite these incidents, Co assured that the security situation in BARMM remained controlled and that voting proceeded peacefully in most areas. Monitoring indicated an overall 97.38 percent voting status across tracked areas as of Monday.

Voting commenced as planned in most monitored locations, including Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Norte, and the Special Geographic Area. Notably, four areas-Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, and the Special Geographic Area-recorded a 100 percent start status, he noted.