Photo: Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
COTABATO CITY (September 8) — The Bangsamoro government and national security agencies are finalizing preparations for the region’s first parliamentary election on Sept. 14, with authorities stepping up coordination to protect voters, election workers and the integrity of the historic vote.
The effort involves the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Government, local government units (LGUs) and other peace and security stakeholders.
COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia said security remains critical to ensuring that Bangsamoro voters can exercise their right to vote freely and safely.
“Peace and security must come first,” Garcia said during the final command conference for the parliamentary election on Aug. 26 at Camp BGen Salipada K. Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte.
“If there is one assurance we can give the Bangsamoro people, it is that the election will continue and that they will be able to vote properly and implement a credible election. There is no reason why we should not succeed in this election,” he said.
The Sept. 14 election marks a major milestone in the region’s transition under Republic Act No. 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
The polls, however, have faced repeated delays since they were originally scheduled for May 2022.
Congress first moved the election to May 2025 to extend the Bangsamoro transition period. It was later reset to Oct. 13, 2025, following the Supreme Court’s 2024 decision excluding Sulu from the BARMM.
The high court subsequently postponed the October polls after voiding the region’s parliamentary districting laws and ordered that elections be held by March 2026.
COMELEC later deferred the March 30 polls, citing insufficient time to implement the new districting law. Congress eventually reset the election for Sept. 14 under Republic Act No. 12317.
Peace as shared responsibility
Bangsamoro Minister of Public and Safety Hussein Muñoz urged residents and candidates to help keep the election peaceful, saying security is a shared responsibility.
“Ang halalan ay hindi lamang isang karapatang ipinagkaloob sa atin bilang mamamayan. Ito rin ay isang responsibilidad,” Muñoz said in a video message posted on the ministry’s Facebook page.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious activities to police or military authorities.
Muñoz also appealed to candidates to avoid violence, intimidation and other actions that could trigger conflict.
“Hinihikayat po namin ang mga kandidato na iwasan ang anumang uri ng karahasan, paninira, at pananakot. Ipakita po natin na dito sa Bangsamoro kayang-kaya nating magdaos ng isang eleksyon na mapayapa at malinis,” he said.
Local officials, religious leaders, civil society organizations and residents are likewise being encouraged to help prevent conflicts and report security concerns.
LGUs told to remain neutral
The Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), meanwhile, directed BARMM local governments to provide full cooperation and appropriate assistance to COMELEC.
Under Memorandum Circular No. 194 dated Aug. 27, LGUs are expected to coordinate with COMELEC on election schedules, venues, logistics, transportation, security and other operational requirements.
The ministry stressed that government assistance must remain politically neutral.
“Maintain strict political neutrality and impartiality in providing all forms of assistance. LGU resources, personnel, facilities, and equipment shall not be used for partisan political activities,” the MILG said.
Military, police step up deployment
The AFP and PNP are coordinating with COMELEC, BARMM agencies and local authorities to secure polling places, protect election workers and materials, maintain public order and respond to security threats.
Thousands of military and police personnel have been deployed as part of the broader election security preparations.
The 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace during the electoral process during a command conference on Aug. 25 at Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
“Let us work together to ensure that the 2026 BARMM Parliamentary Elections are peaceful, orderly, and credible and that the voice and genuine will of the Bangsamoro people are heard and respected,” said Brig. Gen. Ricky Bunayog, acting commander of the 6ID and Joint Task Force Central.
PNP chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has also ordered the full use of police personnel and operational assets for election security.
The Police Regional Office-BARMM said its security plan includes personnel deployment, police visibility, checkpoints, monitoring of election watchlist areas, threat assessment, mobility and rapid-response mechanisms.
GPH, MILF strengthen ceasefire coordination
Meanwhile, the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace Implementing Panels have strengthened ceasefire coordination ahead of the election.
The panels signed Aug. 31 the Guidelines for Mutual Understanding between the Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) at Camp Darapanan in Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.
The agreement seeks to prevent misunderstandings, resolve potential conflicts peacefully and strengthen coordination between the mechanisms responsible for ceasefire-related matters.
The government panel was represented by its chair, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, while the MILF panel was represented by Mohagher Iqbal, who is also a Member of Parliament.
The parties said the agreement would help support a safe and stable environment for the parliamentary election.
