The Philippines’ midterm elections, held on 12 May, triggered a surge in political violence across the country. Political violence events rose by 46% between 28 March, the start of the campaigning period for local positions, and election day, compared to the 45 days prior. While thousands of positions, both legislative and executive, were contested nationwide, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) far outweighed other regions in terms of recorded political violence events, accounting for 38% of events during this period (see map below).
An analyst1The analyst’s name has been withheld for security reasons. at conflict data mapping organization ACLED said:
“The election-related violence in BARMM took place amid intense electoral competition between the region’s powerful clans, including candidates backed by the formerly separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) through its party, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP). On election day, a UBJP candidate for councilor and his brother were killed by suspected political rivals in Bayang town, Lanao del Sur, BARMM. Meanwhile, a day earlier, a firefight between supporters of rival mayoral candidates in Hadji Mohammad Ajul town, Basilan, BARMM, resulted in the death of four supporters in a case also considered to be related to “rido,” a local type of war between clans. This event, the deadliest during election week, highlights the threat of rido to BARMM’s next big electoral exercise: its first-ever parliamentary elections in October 2025 meant to cap the peace agreement signed between the MILF and the national government in 2014.”
For more on violence related to clan blood feuds, or rido, see ACLED’s recent report Clan violence in the Southern Philippines: Rido threatens elections and peace in Bangsamoro. ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data) is a global initiative that collects, analyses, and maps data on conflict and protest. ACLED provides detailed information to help identify, understand, and track patterns and trends in conflict and crisis situations around the world.
Note for editors: For more information, please contact Gina Dorso at [email protected].
ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data) is an independent, impartial, international non-profit organization collecting data on violent conflict and protest in all countries and territories in the world.
