Quezon city: Three additional Philippine Army battalions have been deployed to assist in securing the inaugural Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections scheduled for September 14. This move is part of a broader initiative to ensure the elections proceed smoothly and without incident.

According to Philippines News Agency, Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala announced in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo that the deployment includes troops from the 28th Infantry Battalion, 75th Infantry Battalion, and the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion. These battalions are in addition to the existing presence of the 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao del Norte, the 1st Infantry Division from Zamboanga del Sur, and the 11th Infantry Division in Sulu.

Each battalion comprises over 500 military personnel, and a specially formed "joint special operations team" from higher headquarters has also been sent, though their exact number has not been disclosed. These forces are tasked with augmenting current personnel in BARMM to ensure the security of the electoral process.

Dema-ala emphasized that the deployed troops are actively engaged in security operations, with a focus on enforcing the gun ban. The Philippine Army is working in coordination with the Philippine National Police to maintain peace and order during the elections.