The Philippines has deployed over 160,000 police officers nationwide to maintain security during the midterm elections, which began on Monday amid a surge in election-related violence across the country just days before the polls. The entire police force in the Philippines has been on full alert since May 3 following dozens of election-related violent incidents, with checkpoints established and the military deployed to high-risk areas. Despite the unrest, John Rex Laudiangco, spokesman for the Philippine Commission on Elections, stated that the level of violence has significantly decreased compared to previous years. "The PNP [Philippine National Police] and the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] were able to neutralize private armed groups. From around 60 during the heydays of the past, I think they have significantly reduced them to four," Laudiangco said. Furthermore, the European Union has deployed over 200 long- and short-term observers to monitor the polling process and ballot canvassing. The mission aims to support election integrity without interfering with or validating the results. "The final report will include recommendations. Recommendations that the European Union offers to the country that is observing and to the citizens of the Philippines in order to allow them to implement it or not, because this is up to the country and to its citizens to decide on its own issues," said Marta Temido, chief observer of the EU Election Observation Mission to the Philippines. The elections witnessed the participation of more than 68 million registered voters, casting their ballots from 5:00 to 19:00 (local time) on Monday. According to the Philippine Commission on Elections, the elections will include the re-election of all 317 seats in the House of Representatives and 12 out of the 24 seats in the Senate. Moreover, local executive officials and council members in all provinces and cities nationwide will also face re-election. The Philippine Congress comprises two houses: the Senate, with 24 senators serving six-year terms and half of the seats up for election every three years, and the House of Representatives, with members serving three-year terms and elections held every three years. Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will run for mayor of Davao City. He was arrested in Manila in March and is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the Netherlands. According to Philippine election laws, detention does not disqualify candidates from running for office. The Philippine Commission on Elections has announced that the official results of the midterm elections will be declared within five to seven days. SHOTLIST: Manila, Philippines - May 12, 2025 1. Various of police officers at polling station; Manila, Philippines - Recent 2. SOUNDBITE (English) John Rex Laudiangco, spokesman, Philippine Commission on Elections: "The PNP [Philippine National Police] and the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] were able to neutralize private armed groups. From around 60 during the heydays of the past, I think they have significantly reduced them to four."; 3. Various of observers of European Union Election Observation Mission to the Philippines working; 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Marta Temido, chief observer, EU Election Observation Mission to Philippines: "The final report will include recommendations. Recommendations that the European Union offers to the country that is observing and to the citizens of the Philippines in order to allow them to implement it or not, because this is up to the country and to its citizens to decide on its own issues."; Manila, Philippines - May 12, 2025 5. Various of voters waiting for entering polling station; 6. Various of voters sitting, walking, looking at candidate lists outside polling station; 7. Various of voters, staff in polling station. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]