The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has placed Cotabato City and Maluso under its direct control due to escalating violence ahead of the parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
This decision comes on the heels of a series of violent incidents, including shootings and bomb blasts, that have raised serious concerns about the safety of voters.
Emergency Measures in Response to Violence
The actions taken are aimed at safeguarding the electoral process and ensuring that citizens can exercise their right to vote without fear.
George Erwin Garcia, Comelec Chairman
Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia announced the emergency intervention following a deadly shootout outside a polling center in Barangay Bagua 2, which resulted in three fatalities and 15 injuries.
