Election day peacefully starts in Caraga
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY — The national and local elections (NLE) 2025 opened peacefully across the Caraga region, with early monitoring visits led by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga, in coordination with the regional Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Army, and key media partners including the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
PNP Caraga Director Christopher N. Abrahano spearheaded the monitoring operations, alongside COMELEC Regional Election Director Edwin Cadungog. The joint team conducted site inspections to ensure the orderly conduct of the electoral process and the safety of voters, volunteers, and election personnel.
Their first stop was in the municipality of Remedios T. Romualdez (RTR) in Agusan del Norte, where precincts opened promptly at 5 a.m., Monday. Voting began smoothly, with only minor concerns such as some voters having difficulty locating their names in the official precinct list. Despite the challenges, the situation remained under control and peaceful.
Another highlight was the mall voting held at SM Butuan, where the polling environment was reported to be calm and well-organized. Security forces and election officials worked hand-in-hand to maintain a safe and accessible space for voters, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women who participated in the early voting hours.
In Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, a similarly smooth voting process was observed at Calixto D. Montinola National High School. The precincts opened on time, with early voter turnout dominated by senior citizens. No untoward incidents were recorded.
As of 9 a.m., Dir. Abrahano confirmed that no election-related incidents had been reported anywhere in the Caraga region.
“The voting process across Caraga has so far been peaceful, orderly, and continuous,” he said, during the monitoring rounds.
Dir. Cadungog, on the other hand, gave assurances to the electorate that the commission is closely monitoring feedback and responding promptly to reported concerns.
“We are in constant coordination with our field personnel to address minor issues, such as missing names on voters’ lists or accessibility concerns. We are doing our best to assist voters and ensure the integrity of the process,” he said.
Authorities across the region remain on full alert to ensure that the rest of the day’s election exercise will remain safe and without disruption. The monitoring teams continue to visit various precincts to oversee operations and respond quickly to any emerging issues. (NCLM, PIA Caraga)
