3 dead, 15 wounded in BARMM election eve clash over school queue in Cotabato City

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COTABATO CITY — Three people died while six others were wounded following a shootout triggered by a commotion between rival political supporters outside a school in Cotabato City on the eve of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections.

The incident occurred on Monday at the Datu Usman Mampen school site in Barangay Bagua 2.

According to Col. Jibin Bongcayao, Cotabato City Police chief, the violence erupted over a dispute regarding queue positioning for supporters.

Investigators learned that the confrontation began at around 5:00 a.m. when supporters of rival factions —identified as UBJP and BFP camps — began jostling for priority placement in the line.

"It started as a struggle for position in the queue between two groups," Bongcayao said in a statement. "It led to shoving, escalated into a fistfight, and eventually gunfire broke out in a crowded area."

Tensions flared further as midnight approached when the two groups crossed paths again, leading to an exchange of blows and subsequent gunfire.

Among the six wounded in the melee was local Councilor Marouph Pabo Pasawiran.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident.

Earlier, a man was severely injured in an explosion tonight in the area of Amirul School, Barangay Kapimpilan, Mother Kalanganan, in Cotabato City.

According to initial reports, the victim is believed to have been injured by an explosive device that he was allegedly carrying himself. In a brief interview by local, he said he is a resident of Poblacion 1.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the full details of the incident while the wounded victim receives emergency medical treatment.

Police have yet to give full details on the incident. — BAP, GMA News