The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has flagged 27 localities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as “red” zones for the upcoming inaugural parliamentary elections, pointing to past instances of electoral violence.
During a radio interview, COMELEC Chairman George Garcia explained that the classification stems from historical data rather than any active, ongoing conflicts.
“Yung 27, dahil lang dun sa may kasaysayan ng mga nakaraang halalan na may nangyaring kaguluhan [pero] hindi pa naman related. Yan po ang minomonitor sa kasalukuyan,” Garcia said.
Garcia noted that red-categorized localities face serious security vulnerabilities, such as the activity of armed lawless elements and potential clashes among local political rivals. Consequently, these areas will face stricter surveillance and reinforced security deployments.
As of July 15, the red-tagged municipalities include Al-Barka in Basilan; 21 towns in Lanao del Sur, including Bayang, Butig, Marantao, and Taraka; Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte; Pandag, Shariff Aguak, and Shariff Saydona Musthapa in Maguindanao del Sur; and Tugunan within the Special Geographic Areas.
Furthermore, another 27 areas have been designated under the “orange” category, meaning they pose a risk for potential unrest but lack a track record of historical election violence.
The poll body stated that it is conducting weekly reviews alongside security forces and may alter these color-coded tags as the situation evolves.
The latest COMELEC data also lists 39 areas under the “yellow” category, warranting caution, while 15 towns are classified as “green,” representing peaceful conditions.
Tawi-Tawi stands out as the most peaceful province in the region, with all 11 of its municipalities secured under the green status and entirely clear of red or orange alerts.
Garcia reiterated that the current security tags are preventative measures based on historical precedents rather than active threats, adding that security forces are being mobilized to preserve order.
“Yan po ang minomonitor sa kasalukuyan,” he said, reiterating that the red tags are precautionary.
The COMELEC head also shared that election preparations for BARMM are roughly 90 percent complete. The printing of around 2.3 million official ballots was slated for completion by Sunday, which will be followed by a two-week verification phase prior to final dispatch.