Army to deploy over 2,000 soldiers for BARMM polls

More than 2,000 soldiers are set to be deployed for the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections on September 14, 2026.

Despite a series of attacks targeting military personnel in the region recently, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured the public that the upcoming elections will remain peaceful and orderly.

As an additional force for the police, the military said it is prepared to implement strict security measures.

“Rest assured that your Armed Forces of the Philippines particularly the Joint Task Force and 6ID, we are always here to make sure that we will have a peaceful elections. Relentless ang aming combat operations,” said Major General Jose Vladimir Cagara of the Army's 6th Infantry Division.

The Provincial Government of Basilan is also ready to support the peace efforts.

“Nagkaroon ng joint peace security meeting na initially pero at the same time during sa peace and order council meeting pinag-usapan din para ma-identify ang areas of concern ano 'yung pwedeng ma-support para ma raise natin sa national government at the same time ng local,” Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman, said.

(A joint peace security meeting was held. At the same time during the peace and order council meeting there was a discussion to identify areas of concern and how support can be raised to the national and local governments.)

The military condemned the recent attacks against its troops, including grenade attacks targeting a military vehicle in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, and a military command outpost in Maguindanao del Norte.

Authorities believe that the incidents were retaliatory attacks carried out by terrorist groups whose some members have already been neutralized.

However, government forces continue to pursue the suspects responsible for the attacks.

“Ongoing ang ating pursuit operation. Alam naman natin this past few days, there were series of attack targeting our military troops and just yesterday we were able to again neutralize personality belonging to Panenekelan group kasi may connection din sa ating terrorist group. may mga na-neutralized tayong leaders so isang malaking set back sa kanila,” Cagara added.

(A pursuit operation is ongoing. We know in the past few days, there were a series of attacks targeting our troops... we were able to neutralize some leaders so this is a setback for them.)

According to the Provincial Government of Maguindanao del Norte, one of the reasons behind the conflicts in the province is clan feuds or “rido.” However, the peace talks being conducted by the local government continue.

“There should be dialogue always because if there’s no dialogue each one will not understand each other…let the law take its course kasi 'di natin maso-solve itong problema na rido kung gawin natin sino 'yung mamatay bayaran, siyempre 'yung mamatay tao kailangan pumatay ng tao, ganado pumatay dahil may bumabayad,” Maguindanao del Norte Governor Datu Tucao Mastura said.

(Let the law take its course because we will not be able to solve the problem of rido where one side which suffered a death must exact revenge on those responsible, there is motivation for them to do so.)—Efren Yunting Mamac, GMA Regional TV News