The Philippine National Police yesterday reported a significant decrease in the number of election-related incidents this year.
According to the PNP, at least 310 incidents were recorded during the 150-day election period that started January 10 and ended June 8.
Of the 310 recorded incidents nationwide, 90 were validated ERIs, 105 suspected ERIs, and 115 non-ERIs.
Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesperson, said the figure reflects a significant decline in the number of ERIs this year compared to the elections in 2007, 2010, and 2013.
Mayor noted that in the 2007 elections, the PNP had recorded 178 validated ERIs, which decreased to 166 during the election period in 2010, while 109 ERIs were recorded in 2013.
As of June 10, the PNP has recorded only 90 validated ERIs during the election period of 2016.
The 90 ERIs this year have claimed the lives of 25 victims and injured 27, while 79 other victims were unharmed.
Mayor further noted that the top three nature of incidents were shooting with 155, followed by 29 explosions and 23 cases of strafing.
Region 3 or Central Luzon had the most number of ERIs with 18, followed by Region 10 with 17, Region 4A with 11, Region 2 with 10, Region 9 with seven, and Region 7 and the Cordillera Administrative Region with five each.
Region 5 and 4B each posted four ERIs, Region 1 with three, and Regions 12 and 6 and Metro Manila with two.
“In the recorded incidents nationwide, 71 cases were already referred to the Prosecutor’s Office or filed in court and 239 are still under investigation,” the PNP said. (Elena L. Aben)