Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) is ramping up intelligence-driven security preparations for the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) this September, focusing on preempting violence and dismantling private armed groups. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the security situation in the region remains manageable but sensitive, with intensified monitoring of potential flashpoints, particularly in areas with a history of armed group activity.
According to Philippines News Agency, Nartatez emphasized that the PNP is under strict instructions from the President to ensure that the 'rule of the gun' does not supersede the 'rule of the ballot.' The campaign against loose firearms and the neutralization of private armed groups is both aggressive and continuous. Nartatez highlighted that "red-category" areas have already been identified, with police units ordered to carry out proactive interdiction.
The inaugural BARMM parliamentary election is set for September 14, following the enactment of Republic Act No. 12317 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which reset the polls to the second Monday of September 2026 after multiple postponements since 2022. Nartatez stated that the rescheduling allowed the PNP to enhance its intelligence posture through deeper validation of threat groups and more precise mapping of political hotspots. These assessments are now guiding deployment plans, with around 9,000 personnel set to be deployed, including forces from outside BARMM to ensure neutrality in politically sensitive areas.
"A significant portion will come from outside the region, including elite units from the Special Action Force. This ensures no officer is placed in a situation where personal ties could affect professional duty," Nartatez said. The cross-regional deployment aims to insulate personnel from local pressures, ensuring impartiality and effectiveness in maintaining peace and order.
Meanwhile, the PNP has placed all units on full alert for Labor Day, implementing heightened security measures nationwide. PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tua±o stated that the full alert status took effect at 12:01 a.m. on April 30 and will remain until May 2. Approximately 106,000 police officers have been deployed to secure Labor Day activities, including rallies and protests traditionally organized by labor and progressive groups.
Tua±o added that the full alert will remain in effect longer in Central Visayas until May 10 in preparation for the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, ensuring security during this significant international event.
