MANILA, Philippines – At the close of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) voting Monday, May 14, the Philippine National Police said some 35 people have been killed in incidents of suspected election-releated violence.

According to the PNP’s latest data published Monday, the fatalities came from 47 recorded cases of violence since April 14. From the same incidents, 27 were wounded.

Crimes against persons like homicide and physical injuries usually spike during election season as political tension reaches its peak.

Of the 47 cases, only 7 have been validated to be connected to the local polls. The rest are still under investigaiton. These 7 confirmed incidents tally 13 deaths.

Meanwhile, cops nationwide have confiscated 1,157 firearms, 7,926 rounds of live ammunition, 79 grenades, and 350 explosive devices since the imposition of the election gun ban.

The PNP said there are 7,915 election hot spots or possible danger zones during the election period. However, it did not come out with a list specifiying the names of the areas.

The PNP described the election period as “relatively peaceful” picking up from 2013 barangay elections which saw 57 violent incidents leading to 33 deaths and 55 wounded.

The PNP defines the election period to last up until May 21, a week after the votes were cast. – Rappler.com