Comelec deploys more security personnel after BARMM exec ambush

Authorities have deployed additional security personnel following the ambush on the convoy of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua in Barangay Dulangan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday.

Comelec spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco said it was natural for security personnel to be increased in areas being monitored for potential threats.

"Yes, more security personnel were deployed. Naturally, additional personnel will be deployed when there is something that needs to be monitored,” Laudiangco told reporters.

"The number will increase, but we do not want the deployment of additional personnel to cause fear among our fellow citizens. We do not want the area to appear militarized," he added.

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.

Laudiangco said the poll body considers the ambush an election-related incident and expressed hope that it was an isolated case.

“It happened during the election period. It happened during the campaign period. It happened immediately after the interim chief minister took his oath with his political party,” Laudiangco said.

"Even if Comelec considers it an election-related incident, it hopes that it is an isolated case as it continues its verification across BARMM,” he added.

Currently, there are 25,000 checkpoints across the region, according to Laudiangco.

Other BARMM preparations

Meanwhile, all election materials for the first parliamentary polls in BARMM are expected to arrive by the first week of September.

“Inaasahan natin na magsidating sa mga areas ng ating hubs by the first week of September at the latest, but ang karamihan ay magsisidatingan na itong last week of August,” Laudiangco said.

(We expect them to arrive at our hubs across BARMM by the first week of September at the latest, but most of them are expected to arrive this last week of August.)

He added that election paraphernalia for Tawi-Tawi and Basilan had already arrived.

The Comelec spokesperson also assured that there would be minimal to no duplication in the transmission of votes during the BARMM polls.

“We expect that duplication of transmissions will not happen or will be significantly reduced,” Laudiangco said.

“Just in case there is duplication, we can easily detect it because all the packets we receive are identified. If there are duplicates, we can identify them,” he added.

During the 2025 National and Local Elections, alleged discrepancies in the partial, unofficial tally of votes were flagged.

Comelec explained that entities receiving election returns (ERs) from polling precincts, including the media, should have software programs to “clean” the data and prevent duplication of ERs.

The poll body has also identified alternative voting centers in BARMM should some areas be affected by flooding.

However, Laudiangco said Comelec was not ruling out the possibility of suspending and rescheduling the BARMM elections should inclement weather hamper voters from casting their ballots.

The election period will run until September 29, 2026, while the campaign period runs from July 30 to September 12, 2026.

The BARMM elections will be held on September 14.— MCG, GMA News