MANILA(September 10) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has increased its security deployment for the upcoming Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections to 9,821 personnel, up from the previously announced 9,435.
In a statement Wednesday, the PNP said the Police Regional Office-BARMM deployed 4,361 personnel, while other police regional offices sent 2,430.
The Special Action Force deployed 830 personnel, the Maritime Group 250, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Group 146, and the Highway Patrol Group 50.
Another 1,754 personnel were trained and deployed to serve on Special Electoral Boards (SEBs), which are activated when Commission on Elections (Comelec) personnel and local teachers are unable to conduct polling duties.
The PNP said 4,313 personnel would be stationed at voting centers across BARMM, while 856 would man checkpoints, 218 would monitor local treasurers’ offices and 208 would secure local Comelec offices.
It also deployed 2,120 personnel as quick reaction forces and 352 for civil disturbance management.
“Our personnel are deployed not only to secure election areas, but to help create an environment where people can exercise their right to vote freely, peacefully, and without intimidation,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.
“Ang bawat botante ay dapat makaboto nang ligtas at malaya. Makipagtulungan tayo at agad ireport ang anumang kahina-hinalang gawain sa mga awtoridad,” he added.
About 2.393 million registered voters are expected to cast their ballots at 5,212 voting precincts across BARMM on Monday, Sept. 14, to elect 78 members of the autonomous region’s parliament.
