Philippines deploys military and police for BARMM elections

Security and administrative preparations are intensifying for the 2026 Bangsamoro parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry (Agila) Division has dispatched reinforcement troops, including personnel from the 67th Infantry (Agila) Battalion and the 102nd Division Reconnaissance Company, to strengthen the security framework in the region. Major General Alvin Luzon emphasized that the mission aims to protect the integrity of the democratic process and ensure voters can exercise their rights safely and without fear.

In addition to military support, approximately 300 police officers from the Caraga region will be deployed to serve as electoral board members. These officers will fill roles in areas where teachers are unable to serve due to security concerns or other reasons. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has conducted specialized training for these personnel, covering voting procedures, ballot counting, and the operation of automated counting machines to ensure orderly and credible polls.