LIVE UPDATES: BARMM parliamentary polls 2026 - GMA Network

Two non-partisan groups have called for an end to violence in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) amid its first parliamentary elections on Monday.

In a joint statement, the Technical Assessment Mission of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) expressed concern over what they described as a “rapid and widespread escalation of violence” surrounding the BARMM elections.

The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) Philippines flagged alleged widespread abuse in assisted voting during the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Monday, citing irregularities in both the shading and feeding of ballots.  

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has extended the voting hours in Al-Barka, Basilan from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Comelec chairperson George Garcia said the Comelec En Banc made the decision after the election in the municipality was delayed because the teachers were barred from bringing the election paraphernalia to their designated polling centers.

A poll watcher in the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections alleged Monday that persons linked to a local mayor’s wife took a precinct's voters' list in Maguindanao del Sur to cast votes for her candidate using the names in the said list who had not yet voted, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said.

Continuous gunfire was heard outside the compound of the Shariff Saydona Mustapha municipal government compound in Maguindanao del Sur on Monday.

GMA News' Jun Veneracion reported from the municipal compound and said a Special Action Force (SAF) armored vehicle had already entered the area as gunfire continued outside.

Some of the shots could be heard hitting metal structures and trees within the compound.

Authorities have yet to confirm which armed group was responsible for the shooting.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said voting in Maluso, Basilan, for the first parliamentary elections may continue until Tuesday following the discovery of pre-shaded ballots.

During his visit to the Central Pilot Elementary School in Cotabato City, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the poll body is still waiting for the arrival of newly printed ballots before deciding whether to extend voting hours.

A total of 10 men were arrested at a police checkpoint in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Norte, amid an ongoing exchange of gunfire about 700 meters from a polling center on Monday.

According to GMA News’ Jun Veneracion, the individuals were stopped by Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel while riding a tricycle. They allegedly attempted to flee when police flagged them down.

Police recovered numerous spent bullet casings from the men.

Another vehicle was also stopped at the checkpoint, and police reportedly recovered a .45-caliber handgun from its occupants.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is seeking for the transfer of ballot custody to them following the discovery of pre-shaded ballots in Maluso, Basilan.

"Isa sa mga isa-suggest na natin sa ating Kongreso ... Ang batas ay baguhin at ang possession, custody ng mga balota, na No. 1 election document, ay hindi po sa partisan o maaaring influential ng mga politiko," Comelec chairperson George Garcia told reporters during his visit at the Central Pilot Elementary School in Cotabato City.

(One of our suggestions in Congress is to change the law and transfer the possession, custody of ballots, which are No. 1 election documents. It should not be under partisan custody or those who could be influenced by politicians.)

"Kung pinagkakatiwala kay Comelec ang mga makina, bakit hindi naman magkakatiwala sa amin ang mga balota?" he added.

The situation in the first parliamentary polls in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) remained under control despite explosions and shooting incidents, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.

At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co said the electoral process remained generally peaceful.

“Under control pa rin. Generally peaceful ito. Why do we say it's generally peaceful? In the majority of areas within BARMM ay napaka-peaceful po na nangyari ng electoral process,” Co said.

(Still under control. It's generally peaceful. Why do we say it's generally peaceful? In the majority of areas within BARMM, the electoral process was very peaceful.)