At least 440 police officers from the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) have been deployed for the plebiscite for the creation of eight towns for the 63 barangays of the Special Geographic Areas (SGA) under the territory of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Saturday, April 13, 2024.

The send-off ceremony was held at the PRO-BAR Grandstand at Camp Ben Salipada K Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte.

“While PRO 12 takes the lead in security operations, the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region stands ready to assist and facilitate the conduct of electoral process. Recognizing the importance of collaboration and coordination, PRO BAR will contribute by adding maximum deployment to the areas where assistance is needed most,” the PRO-BAR said.

The 440 police personnel will be deployed to polling stations across the SGA while another 150 troops are prepared as Reaction Standby Support Force (RSSF) for possible deployment in the area.

Ministry of the Interior and Local Government-BARMM Minister, Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba and Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Election Supervisor, Atty. Muamar Guyo also graced the send-off ceremony.

PRO-BAR Acting Regional Director, Brigadier General Prexy Tanggawohn, said the send-off ceremony reflects the PRO-BAR’s dedication to fostering lasting peace and order and facilitating a peaceful, transparent, and democratic electoral process.

“We are prepared to deploy our troops extensively to safeguard the well-being of all voters and stakeholders engaged in the plebiscite, preventing any election-related incidents and ensuring a smooth plebiscite process,” Tanggawohn said.

According to the Bangsamoro Government, the upcoming voting aims to ratify the laws or the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act Nos. 41-48, which are centered on the creation of eight municipalities for the 63 barangays of the SGA, as approved by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament last August 17, 2023.

Around 89, 594 eligible voters are expected to cast their votes at the 67 polling precincts available.

These proposed municipalities include Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Kapalawan, Malidegao, Tugunan, and Ligawasan.

The barangays of Central Labas, Kapinpilan, Malingao, Mudseng, Sambulawan, Tugal, and Tumbras, in Midsayap, North Cotabato, will be part of Kadayangan.

The combined barangays of Damatulan, Kadigasan, Kadingilan, Kudarangan, Nabalawag, and Olandang, all from Midsayap, and Barangay Dungguan in Aleosan, North Cotabato, will be part of Nabalawag.

Kaabakan will be composed of barangays Buluan, Nangaan, Sanggadong, Simbuhay, Simone, Pedtad, and Tamped, in Kaabakan, North Cotabato.

Barangays Kibayao, Kitulaan, Langogan, Manarapan, Nasapian, Pebpoloan, and Tupig, in Carmen, North Cotabato, will be included in Kapalawan.

Malidegao will be composed of barangays Balungis, Batulawan, Fort Pikit, Gokotan, Nabundas, Nalapaan, and Nunguan in Pikit, North Cotabato.

The barangays of Balong, Bualan, Lagunde, Macabual, Macasendeg, Manaulanan, Pamalian, and Panicupan, in Pikit; and Barangay Tapodoc, in Aleosan, will form Tugunan.

Ligawasan will be composed of barangays Bagoinged, Barungis, Bulol, Buliok, Gli-Gli, Kabasalan, and Rajamuda in Pikit, North Cotabato.