AFP deploys 'adequate' forces to BARMM ahead of first parliamentary polls

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Monday that it has deployed enough forces to provide security within the Bangsamoro region (BARMM) ahead of its first-ever parliamentary elections on October 13. 

AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said the number of troops deployed to the region are just “adequate” to avoid making the historical elections appear militarized. 

“Basically, yung tropa natin within the vicinity all on standby po ‘yan. But we have adequate personnel that we have already deployed. Hindi excessive para hindi naman maging militarized itong elections noh. Pero sufficient enough para ma-address ang legitimate security concerns in certain areas. Mix po yan ng regular forces natin at mga specialized units natin, depende sa na-identify natin na threat level ng specific areas,” she said in Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon. 

(Basically, our troops in the vicinity are all on standby. But we have adequate personnel that we have already deployed. Not excessive so that the elections don't appear militarized. But sufficient enough to address legitimate security concerns in certain areas. It's a mix of our regular forces and our specialized units depending on the threat level we've identified for specific areas.) 

“Mayroon din po tayong mga quick reaction teams na mobile po, pwedeng-pwede i-deploy agad yan sa areas na biglaang mage-escalate ang tension if need be po.”

(We also have quick reaction teams that are mobile, they can be deployed immediately to areas where tension suddenly escalates if need be.)  

The Commission on Elections has already declared the election period and gun ban in BARMM from August 14 to October 28.

The poll body estimated about 2.3 million people will cast their votes during the BARMM elections with 73 seats up for grabs. 

Election-related violence

When asked which areas in the region are being monitored for possible election-related violence, the AFP official refused to identify them for operational security reasons. 

But Padilla said the AFP is also working with the local peace committee and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to ensure the peace until Election Day. 

“May mga areas po talaga na identified po natin as high-risk based po sa historical data at current threat assessments po natin. Hindi po pwede i-specify natin kung ano ito exactly ang mga locations na ito for of course, for operational security reasons. Assure po natin na may appropriate security measures po tayo na na-deploy na natin as of this time,” said Padilla.

(There are really areas that we have identified as high-risk based on our historical data and current threat assessments. We cannot specify exactly what these locations are for, of course, for operational security reasons. We assure you that we have appropriate security measures that we have already deployed as of this time.) 

“We are working closely with the local peace committee, MILF leaders para ma-ensure natin na maging peaceful yung conduct ng elections sa areas na traditionally ay mayroon ding mga tensions,” she added. 

(We are working closely with the local peace committee, MILF leaders to ensure that the conduct of the elections will be peaceful in areas that traditionally also have tensions.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News