Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified monitoring and security operations in all election areas under the red category ahead of the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

According to Philippines News Agency, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. directed all concerned police offices and units to strengthen security operations in areas identified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as high-risk locations. Nartatez emphasized the importance of implementing long-term changes to address negative perceptions associated with elections in the region, following past incidents. This initiative aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., guided by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to ensure peaceful, orderly, and credible BARMM parliamentary elections and protect communities from election-related violence.

The Comelec has marked 27 election areas as red category, indicating serious security threats due to the presence of communist terrorist groups or other armed threat groups. These areas include several municipalities in Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and the Special Geographic Area.

A gun ban is already in effect in the region, with police commanders tasked to promote coordination and peace pacts with clans and groups to ensure peaceful, honest, and orderly elections. Nartatez highlighted that the strategic deployment of personnel through Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) will be crucial, a strategy he initiated in the area during his tenure as the commander of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao.

Moreover, the PNP chief emphasized that police visibility will be intensified in the identified areas, and intelligence operations will be reinforced to detect possible threats and prevent election-related incidents. 'The PNP will closely coordinate with the local government units in securing the days ahead of the BARMM elections,' Nartatez stated.