Elections generally peaceful

Gun attacks, machine glitches, and power supply issues greeted the midterm polls on Monday while pockets of violence were reported during voting hours in some parts of the country, but the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the May 12 elections were generally peaceful and orderly.

- By AARON RECUENCO, MARTIN SADONGDONG, JOSEPH PEDRAJAS, and GLAZYL MASCULINO

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said all the more than 163,000 policemen, backed by over 200,000 personnel of law enforcement agencies will remain on guard until such time that the canvassing of votes in various polling centers are completed.

"It's very peaceful. But all our policemen on the grounds remain on guard, they continue to make arrests. My instruction is to arrest all those who would dare to create trouble," said PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the technical glitches and power interruptions were reported in some parts of Central Luzon, Northern Mindanao, Davao and Cordillera Administrative Region.

The power interruptions, according to Fajardo, were caused by electric transmission issues but these were resolved in some areas, like the voting center in Pantangan National High School in Nueva Ecija.

Pockets of violence As of 4 p.m. on Monday, the PNP reported that four people died while 12 others were injured in gun attacks and other violence in some parts of the country.

Two of the fatalities were reported in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) while two others in Negros Island Region. On the other hand, eight of the injured victim were reported in BARMM while the rest were in Negros Island Region and Cordillera Administrative Region.

In Lanao del Sur, a candidate for councilor in Bayang town and his aide were gunned down while walking to cast their votes on Monday, police said.