Tapul, Sulu — May 13, 2025
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in Sulu has confirmed that legal charges have been filed against individuals involved in the destruction of an Automated Counting Machine (ACM) and other election-related incidents during the barangay elections in Tapul, Sulu last Monday.
According to Atty. Vidzfar Julie, the Provincial Election Supervisor of COMELEC-Sulu, the commission is taking firm action against those responsible for disrupting the election process. Among the incidents reported were the deliberate destruction of an ACM in Barangay Sayli, the disappearance of more than 2,400 official ballots from Barangays Tangkapaan and Pangdan, and physical assaults on several individuals—cases which had earlier been filed by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“These acts aimed at sabotaging the elections will not be tolerated,” said Atty. Julie, emphasizing that both the suspects and those accountable for the handling of official election materials will face consequences, as directed by the COMELEC central office.
While the ACM’s screen in Barangay Sayli was damaged, Julie assured that the machine’s results remained intact and were later recovered after repairs. Meanwhile, the missing ballots were allegedly taken from boxes that had been forcibly opened and torn apart.
Despite the disruptions, COMELEC confirmed that elections in Tapul continued, and winning candidates were eventually proclaimed. Similar tensions and minor unrest were also reported in other towns including Indanan and Parang, which the official described as typical during elections in the province.
Julie also clarified that reports of hacking in Barangay Saldang, Parang were inaccurate. “There was no hacking—only a fistfight,” she said, after personally visiting the area to investigate.
Over 20 individuals involved in the disturbances were temporarily detained by military forces for the duration of the elections and were released afterward.
COMELEC assured the public of its commitment to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and to ensure accountability for those who attempt to disrupt it.