BARMM 2026 elections: Where are the election areas of concern?

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have deployed thousands of troops to ensure the safe and orderly conduct of the first parliamentary elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The PNP said it is stepping up its security measures in 108 election areas of concern (EAC) identified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Of the total EACs, 15 areas were placed in the green category, 39 under yellow, 27 under orange, and another 27 under red.

What does it mean for an area to be classified as an EAC?

According to the Comelec, green areas have no security concerns or is relatively peaceful and orderly.

Yellow areas are those with suspected election-related incidents (ERIs) in the last two elections, politically motivated ERIs during the current election period, intense partisan rivalry, or a history of being placed under COMELEC control.

Orange locations have two or more factors under the yellow category, or exhibit serious armed threats.

Red category sites have one or more factors identified under the yellow and/or orange categories, along with serious armed threats or the existence of any ground for the declaration of COMELEC control.

In Comelec's most recent list heading into the polls, Lanao del Sur has the most red areas with 21, followed by Maguindanao with a distant 3. Basilan and Maguindanao del Norte have 1 each. Tugunan—a newly created town located in Cotabato province—was likewise listed under the red category.

Here are the following BARMM elections areas of concern of July 15, 2026:

BASILAN

Green (4)

• Akbar
• Hadji Mohammad Ajul
• Sumisip
• Ungkaya Pukan

Yellow (5)

• Hadji Muhtamad
• Lantawan
• Maluso
• Tabuan Lasa
• Tuburan

Orange (2)

• Tipo-Tipo
• Lamitan City

Red (1)

• Al-Barka

LANAO DEL SUR

Green (0)

Yellow (14)

• Bacolod Kalawi
• Balindong
• Buadiposo-Buntong
• Bubong
• Bumabaran
• Ditsaan-Ramain
• Lumba Bayabao
• Madalum
• Madamba
• Maguing
• Marawi City
• Tagoloan
• Tugaya
• Wao

Orange (5)

• Balabagan
• Calanogas
• Kapatagan
• Malabang
• Picong

Red (21)

• Bayang
• Binidayan
• Butig
• Ganssi
• Kapai
• Lumbaca Unayan
• Lumbatan
• Lumbayanague
• Marantao
• Marogong
• Masiu
• Mulondo
• Pagayawan
• Piagapo
• Poona Bayabao
• Pualas
• Saguiaran
• Sultan Dumalondong
• Tamparan
• Taraka
• Tubaran

MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE

Green (0)

Yellow (9)

• Barira
• Buldon
• Datu Blah Sinsuat
• Kabuntalan
• Matanog
• Northern Kabuntalan
• Parang
• Sultan Mastura
• Upi

Orange (3)

• Sultan Kudarat
• Talitay
• Cotabato City

Red (1)

• Datu Odin Sinsuat

MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR

Green (0)

Yellow (7)

• Datu Abdulah Sangki
• Datu Anggal Midtimbang
• Gen. S.K. Pendatun
• Guindulungan
• Mangudadatu
• South Upi
• Talayan

Orange (14)

• Ampataun
• Buluan
• Datu Hoffer Ampatuan
• Datu Paglas
• Datu Piang
• Datu Salibo
• Datu Saudi Ampatuan
• Datu Unsay
• Mamasapano
• Pagagawan
• Paglat
• Pagalungan
• Rajah Buayan
• Sultan Sa Baronngis

Red (3)

• Pandag
• Shariff Aguak
• Shariff Saydona Musthapa

TAWI-TAWI

Green (11)

• Bongao
• Languyan
• Mapun
• Panglima Sugala
• Sapa-Sapa
• Sibutu
• Simunul
• Sitangkai
• South Ubian
• Tandubas
• Turtle Islands

Yellow, Orange, Red (0)

SPECIAL AREAS OF CONCERN

Green (0)

Yellow (4)

• Kapalawan
• Ligawasan
• Malidegao
• Old Kaabakan

Orange (3)

• Kadayangan
• Nabalawag
• Pahamuddin

Red (1)

• Tugunan

Less than three weeks ahead of the polls, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said no areas in the BARMM are under the control of the poll body, following the recent ambush involving the region's Interim Chief Minister, Abdulraof "Sammy Gambar" Macacua.

An area may be placed under Comelec control when there is intense political rivalry between or among candidates, political factions, or parties; or the presence of paramilitary forces, private armies, or terrorist groups.

On August 15, Macacua and his entourage escaped unharmed after armed assailants ambushed their convoy in Datu Odin Sinsuat.

Macacua was traveling from his hometown in Barangay Gambar, Mother Kabuntalan, when the incident occurred.

He attended the proclamation rally of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP), the party he recently joined and where he was named chairman after previously running as an independent candidate in the province's 3rd district. — VDV, GMA News