PH Army deploys nearly 12k troops to secure BARMM polls

The Philippine Army on Tuesday said it has deployed 11,900 soldiers and CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) members to secure the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) on September 14.

“Overall, we have deployed 11,900 soldiers and CAA members from the 1st, 6th and 11 Infantry Divisions as of September 6, 2026,” Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala said at a press briefing.

The 1st Infantry Division deployed two additional provisional battalions to Lanao del Sur on August 31 to strengthen security preparations ahead of election day.

Dema-ala said the deployment in Lanao del Sur will reinforce the eight infantry battalions already assigned to conduct election security operations in the region.

Armor and field artillery units are also providing additional mobility, protection, and fire-support capabilities, while the 3rd Special Forces Battalion is scheduled to deploy before the day of the polls.

Meanwhile, the 10th Infantry Division sent additional forces from the 67th Infantry Battalion and the 102nd Division Reconnaissance Company to augment security operations for the election period. —RF, GMA News