3 killed, 15 wounded in gunfire ahead of historic Philippine regional election

Three individuals lost their lives and 15 more were wounded in a violent incident that occurred hours before the start of the polls in a semi-autonomous region in the southern Philippines. This region, known as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, was set to elect its first parliament. The shooting took place outside a school used as a polling station in the regional capital of Cotabato, just before midnight.

Police chief Jibin Bongcayao stated that the violence erupted between members of rival political factions, initially as a dispute over the order of voting, which then escalated into a physical altercation that ultimately resulted in gunfire. The participants belonged to factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a group that had been fighting for regional autonomy for decades.

Despite the high level of violence in the past, a peaceful election would be a significant achievement for the area. Security measures have been increased across the Bangsamoro region, with over 20,000 security personnel deployed to polling locations and quick-response teams ready to handle any potential unrest. However, the region has faced ongoing challenges, including a history of political violence, poverty, and inadequate infrastructure.

The economy of the region, which relies heavily on agriculture, grew by 5% to 267 billion pesos in 2025, surpassing the country's overall growth of 4.4%. Nevertheless, more than a third of the region's cities and towns still have poverty rates exceeding 40%, significantly higher than the national average. The postponement of the election from 2022 to September of this year allowed for a more thorough transition period under the leadership of provisional parliamentarians appointed by the current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The president expressed optimism about the potential of the region, stating his desire to move to Mindanao after leaving office due to the region's promising economic opportunities.