Cotabato city: Three people were killed and 15 others were wounded during a shootout in front of a polling center in Barangay Bagua 2 here shortly before midnight Sunday, the eve of the September 14 historic Parliamentary Elections (BPE) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

According to Philippines News Agency, the incident occurred in front of the Datu Usman Mampen Elementary School, as confirmed by Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office - Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. Salanguit mentioned in a statement on Monday that prior to the shooting, two explosions rocked the city on Sunday night, leaving one person critically wounded.

The initial police investigation revealed that the victim, identified as Zainudin Macabuat, was carrying the explosive that prematurely detonated at 8 p.m. near a school in Barangay Mother Kalanganan, Cotabato City. Another blast was reported in Barangay Rosary Heights 10 at 9 p.m., but fortunately, nobody was hurt. Additionally, a strafing incident occurred at 5 p.m. in the same village, but no injuries were reported.

Regarding the Barangay Bagua 2 shooting, Salanguit stated that the identities of the fatalities and the wounded victims remain unknown. The initial investigation indicated that two groups of men, both supporters of political parties, gathered in front of the school when an altercation led to the shooting. However, the trigger for the shooting and the identities of the culprits are still undetermined. Police recovered empty shells for .45-caliber and 9mm pistols from the scene.

In light of these events, police and military authorities remain on high alert for Monday's BARMM polls.