More than a month before the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) holds its first parliamentary elections on September 14, the Philippine Army deployed at least 1,500 troops to bolster regional security.
Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala confirmed that three infantry battalions—the 28th, 75th, and 2nd Special Forces—alongside a Joint Special Operations Team, were sent to enforce the election gun ban and support ongoing security operations.
They join forces already stationed in the area, including the 1st, 6th, and 11th Infantry Divisions.
“We have already deployed additional troops to BARMM. They continue to conduct security operations, particularly in implementing the gun ban in the BARMM area,” Dema-ala said.
“A battalion-sized unit has almost 500 personnel. We have at least three battalions and one joint special operations team,” he explained.
The military is collaborating closely with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure a peaceful voting process for members of the Bangsamoro Parliament.
“As of now, we continue to coordinate with the Philippine National Police on the security situation there. Our field commanders also continue engaging with communities to ensure that the upcoming BARMM election will be peaceful and orderly,” Dema-ala noted.
“All possible challenges are being discussed during our coordinating conferences. We cannot predict what those challenges will be. But rest assured that the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, and the Comelec are working together to ensure these possibilities are mitigated or completely prevented,” he assured.
Despite Climate Conflict Action Asia reporting over 600 violent incidents in the region between January and June during the campaign period, Dema-ala stated that the military has not observed election-related violence or immediate threats from lawless armed groups.
He reiterated that COMELEC retains the sole authority to designate potential election hotspots.
“Compared with previous incidents, we have not seen or received any reports from the Philippine Army of incidents related to this election,” Dema-ala said.
“It is up to the Comelec to declare the hotspots. However, we continue coordinating with the Philippine National Police and the Comelec on areas where we previously reported the presence of lawless armed groups.”
“At present, we do not see any threat from them. However, we continue our security operations against these lawless armed groups. We are not stopping. Following the guidance of our Chief of Staff [General Antonio Nafarrete] and the Commanding General of the Philippine Army [Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran], there will be no letup in our security operations,” he concluded.