300 Caraga cops gear up for BARMM polls

BUTUAN CITY (August 31)  — Three hundred police officers from the Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) have begun training to serve as members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Electoral Board (SEB) for the 2026 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Election.

The two-day training started Saturday, Aug. 29, at the PRO 13 Multi-Purpose Center in Butuan City as part of preparations for the Sept. 14 parliamentary elections.

Conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the training is designed to equip police personnel with the procedures and technical skills needed to perform their duties as members of the electoral board.

Among the topics covered were the General Instructions for the Electoral Board, including voting, counting and transmission of election results.

The participants also underwent hands-on exercises on the proper operation of the Automated Counting Machine (ACM) and other election equipment.

PRO 13 Regional Public Information Office chief Police Lt. Col. Jennifer S. Ometer said the training also covered contingency measures that police personnel may need to undertake in case of technical problems during the elections.

“Kasali sa training ay yung iba pang mga dapat gawin in relation sa BARMM Parliamentary Election,” Ometer said.

The training was attended by PRO 13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Rolindo M. Suguilon and Comelec Caraga Regional Director Atty. Edwin O. Cadungog, who served as keynote speakers.

Suguilon urged the police personnel to observe discipline and professionalism in carrying out their election duties.

“Let us demonstrate the highest level of discipline and professionalism as we fulfill our mandate in support of the Commission on Elections and our fellow Filipinos during the 2026 BARMM Parliamentary Election,” he said.

The deployment of police personnel as members of the Special Electoral Board places them in a critical position in ensuring that voting, counting and transmission of results are conducted properly.

Their performance will also be measured by their neutrality, professionalism and strict adherence to election rules, particularly in a parliamentary election that will determine the first elected Bangsamoro Parliament.