BANGUED, Abra(PIA)--The conduct of  the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE) in the province was  generally peaceful based on the  assessment of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PRO-COR).

COMELEC-Abra Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Ricardo Lampac said despite some complaints of violations, NLE in the province was held peacefully  and orderly.

 "As far as we are concerned, we can say that it is peaceful and orderly despite some isolated cases were recorded," Lampac stated in an interview.

Abra  is identified for election-related incidents in previous elections, and  for this NLE, the  municipality of Pilar  was placed under COMELEC control days prior to May 9  due to a  shooting incident between the security personnel of  the vice mayor  and the police forces in March.  

Lampac  recognized the efforts of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines in the maintenance of peace  and order in Pilar. 

He informed  that there were verbal complaints due so some minor incidents, threats and violations during the conduct of voting. He urged those who have reported such violations  to file formal complaint before the COMELEC for them to take immediate actions.

Meanwhile, PRO-COR Public Information Officer Capt. Marnie Abellanida said that although   two persons were arrested  for possession of firearms  in barangay Tagodtod in Lagangilang,  no major incident  such as shootout or any election-related death was reported during  election day.  

"Simula noong nagbukas ang pagboto noong alas sais hanggang sa natitirang sampung minuto bago mag-sara ang mga polling places, wala namang major incident na nai-record natin na nakaapekto sa pagdaus natin ng mapayapang halalan,  so I can safely say na maganda ang resulta ng peace and order situation ng ating halalan- generally peaceful siya," Abellanida stated.

As for the two  arrested identified as Abellanida Marco Tizon Gacaid and Reymundo Baruela Almeda  who were found in possession of 40 caliber and 45  caliber firearms  with live ammunition,  they will ve   facing charges  for  violation of Republic Act 10591  or the  "Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act" and COMELEC Resolution No. 10728  or the election gun ban, he said.

Transmission of votes  from most of  the  polling precincts to the municipal  board of canvassers(MBOCs) immediately proceeded  after the 7:00 PM closing of polls, with  the some MBOCs completing the canvassing  of  election results before midnight.

The  Provincial BOC released the final and official  result of  2022 NLE  in the 27 towns of  Abra  by 5:23 PM of May 10. All the newly elected  local officials  were already proclaimed. (JDP/CAGT - PIA CAR, Abra)