PNP, PH Army boost security for BARMM polls

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army have started deploying more personnel to secure the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In a statement, the PNP said it is stepping up security measures in 108 areas identified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as areas of concern.

“Ensuring the peaceful elections in BARMM is a continuing process. Security measures are in place but regular monitoring and real-time adjustments are being done based on the situation on the ground,” PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

“The goal has always been to provide the safest environment for all our kababayan in the area to freely choose their next leaders, and eventually prove that BARMM is way different now compared to what it was known in the past, especially during elections,” he added.

Of the 108 areas of concern, Lanao del Sur has the highest number of red zones with 21.

Maguindanao del Sur, meanwhile, has 11 areas classified as orange zones. Maguindanao del Norte and Basilan have areas classified under varying levels of risk, while Tawi-Tawi remains relatively secure and stable, according to the PNP.

The Comelec classifies red zones as areas facing severe security risks and a history of violent incidents that may require heightened election oversight.

Orange zones are areas facing serious armed security challenges, while yellow zones have a documented history of election-related disturbances. Green zones are considered secure areas with no identified security threats.

Nartatez said the PNP will also strengthen its coordination and intelligence sharing with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as part of preparations for the elections.

PH Army

The Philippine Army - Office of the Chief Public Affairs' Colonel Jose Regonay Jr. said a 561-member Task Force 92 have been deployed for the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.

He said the 1st Brigade Combat Team (1BCT) organized Task Force 92 as a combined-arms unit composed of its attached units.

According to Regonay, Task Force 92 will not only provide security but will also carry out community engagement initiatives and strengthen coordination with partner agencies.

The goal is to ensure that voters in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) can exercise their right to suffrage freely, safely and without threat or intimidation.

Task Force 92 is headed by its commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Anacito Naz.

Its 561 personnel include members of infantry, military intelligence, mortar, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), K9, civil-military operations (CMO), combat engineer and sustainment units.

Initially, the task force will be deployed within the area of responsibility of the 602nd Infantry Brigade under the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division.

Its primary mission is to conduct combined-arms operations no later than August 2026 within the Joint Task Force Central-Joint Area of Operations (JTFC-JOA) to help ensure the safe and successful conduct of the BARMM elections. —VAL, GMA News