Cotabato city: Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. has directed local units in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to increase police visibility to help ensure a peaceful and orderly conduct of the region's first parliamentary elections on September 14. "There is no room for complacency when it comes to securing the democratic right of all our kababayan (fellow citizens) in BARMM to choose their leaders. The zero election-related incident is proof that we are doing well and we will exert all our efforts to keep it that way," Nartatez stated, emphasizing the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla to ensure peace and order during the election period.

According to Philippines News Agency, the PNP has not monitored any threat to the security situation in BARMM, yet it continues to tighten security measures and maintain a strong police presence to deter terrorism, election-related violence, and other criminal activities. The PNP is also coordinating with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), local government units, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the implementation of security measures and real-time adjustments on the ground.

Part of the coordination involves identifying areas that may be declared election hotspots and implementing the appropriate security measures. The current focus is the strict implementation of a gun ban, intended to contain the movement of the main instrument in election-related threats, intimidation, and violence. This is reinforced by strengthening coordination with as many local stakeholders. For the PNP, police visibility remains crucial in maintaining peace and order.

Nartatez also urged residents to remain vigilant and to cooperate with authorities by reporting suspicious individuals or activities that may threaten the safety of their communities. The BARMM parliamentary elections will be the first under the Bangsamoro parliamentary form of government, and security forces have been on alert to ensure that voters can safely exercise their right to vote throughout the region.