Mindanao: Law enforcement units and government agencies in Mindanao have joined forces to ensure the safe and successful conduct of the historic first parliamentary elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Monday. Police and military units from various parts of Mindanao deployed additional personnel over the weekend to augment existing BARMM security forces and assist the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the final preparations for the polls.
According to Philippines News Agency, on Saturday, an additional 300 troops from the 29th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) arrived in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, while troops from the 30IB were stationed in Tubod, Lanao del Norte. Maj. Gen. Marion Angcao, 4ID commander, deployed the 75IB to Hill 150 in Barangay Meta, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao del Sur, on July 15. The 3rd Special Forces Battalion was also deployed on Sept. 2 to the headquarters of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Barangay Ma. Cristina, Iligan City, along with an armor platoon equipped with four armored vehicles.
In Lanao del Sur, the police provincial office assisted Comelec officials and Electoral Board members in the final testing and sealing of automated counting machines (ACMs) on Saturday. Police and Army personnel also inspected polling precincts to assess security and the overall readiness of election preparations. Apart from the 901 personnel deployed to BARMM, Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao Director Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr. on Sunday placed the region's police units on full alert and ordered an accounting of personnel.
In Basilan, troops from the 32IB led by commander Lt. Col. Gerwin Maghuyop joined the police and Comelec in securing the transport of ACMs to polling precincts on Sunday. "Our commitment is to help create an environment where every Filipino can exercise their right to vote peacefully, securely, and without fear," he said. Aside from BARMM, full alert status is raised in all Police Regional Offices in Mindanao until Sept. 30.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated, "Over the years, elections in this part of Mindanao have been marked with violence and have been perceived as dangerous. As our brothers and sisters cast their vote for the historic parliamentary elections, we in the PNP seek to be part of this history by proving that peaceful, orderly, and credible elections in BARMM can be done." He further assured, "The PNP is fully prepared to secure the first BARMM parliamentary elections on Monday. All our deployed personnel are in place and ready to respond to any situation."
Meanwhile, Department of Science and Technology-Cotabato Director Dr. Michael Mayo said the agency has partnered with Comelec to certify information technology-capable Electoral Board (EB) members. The certification program is intended for qualified police personnel who will serve as EB members. The first BARMM parliamentary elections will determine the political parties and district representatives who will replace the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, which was created following the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2019.
Civil society organizations, including the Asian Network for Free Elections and the National Democratic Institute, are monitoring the electoral process. They deployed international election observers to cover campaign and election preparations, election-day proceedings, and the immediate post-election period.
