‘Marawi polls most peaceful in history’

MANILA, Philippines — The barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in Marawi on Saturday were the “most peaceful and orderly” in the history of the city, according to Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde.

Albayalde lauded the police, local government officials and residents of the city for ensuring that no major untoward incident occurred.

“I congratulate the people of Marawi for holding the most peaceful and orderly elections ever in its long political history,” Albayalde told a press briefing at Camp Crame yesterday.

Citing the report of Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police director, Albayalde said all election returns and paraphernalia from 96 barangays were accounted for as of 6 a.m. on Sunday.

Albayalde also cited the smooth and orderly proclamation of winners.

The Commission on Elections said it did not receive reports of a failure of elections.

The barangay and SK elections in Marawi were postponed to pave the way for rehabilitation works after fighting between government troopers and Maute militants from May to October last year. Schools used as voting centers were among those destroyed.