Manila: The Philippine Army (PA) announced on Tuesday that it has sufficient forces ready to ensure the security of the upcoming first-ever parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) scheduled for next month.

According to Philippines News Agency, PA chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, in a discussion with reporters at the PA headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, stated that two divisions under the PA will be deployed to manage election-related duties in BARMM. These divisions, namely the 1st and 6th Infantry Divisions, operate under the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom).

Lt. Gen. Nafarrete, who has previously served as a commander in WesMinCom, assured that the forces on the ground are adequate, with additional troops on standby if reinforcement is necessary. He emphasized his ongoing communication with division commanders and mentioned efforts to enhance firepower and address any potential shortcomings.

He further stated that the PA is committed to providing all necessary resources and has established contingency plans to address any unforeseen circumstances during the election period. The BARMM parliamentary election is set to take place on October 13.