Three killed, 15 injured in shooting at Cotabato polling station before Bangsamoro vote

September 14, 2026 at 02:32 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

At least three people were killed and 15 injured in a shooting at a polling station in Cotabato City, Philippines, on the eve of the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. The violence began as a dispute over queue positions between supporters of rival political groups, according to Cotabato police chief Jibin Bongcayao. The election proceeded on September 14 with 2.4 million registered voters choosing 80 members of the regional parliament.

Key Facts

Three people were killed and 15 injured in the shooting at a polling station in Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Norte province.
The shooting occurred on the night of September 13, 2026, ahead of the September 14 parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
Cotabato police chief Jibin Bongcayao said the violence began as a dispute over queue positions between two rival political groups.
The rival groups were affiliated with parties formed from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
About 2.4 million registered voters in Bangsamoro were eligible to elect 80 members of the regional parliament from 13 parties.

The Shooting

Gunfire erupted at a polling station near a school in Cotabato City on the night of September 13, 2026. At least three people were killed and 15 injured, according to South China Morning Post. Cotabato police chief Jibin Bongcayao said two groups began arguing over a place in line, then pushed each other before a fight escalated into gunfire in a crowded area. Local journalists took cover during the shooting, which injured at least four people, according to Al Jazeera English.

Election Context

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao held its first parliamentary elections on September 14, 2026. Previously, deputies were appointed by authorities rather than elected. Candidates from 13 parties competed for 80 seats in the regional parliament. About 2.4 million residents were eligible to vote. First results were expected on the evening of September 14, with full results on September 15.