The Philippine Army (PA) has sufficient manpower to ensure the safe and peaceful conduct of the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Oct. 13.

Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, PA commanding general, said the 6th Infantry Division (6ID) based in Maguindanao del Norte and 1st Infantry Division (1ID) based in Lanao del Sur will be the primary force of the Army in securing the polls.

Aside from that, there are also two battalions that are ready to be deployed for augmentation.

“We’re beefing up our firepower. Kung ano pang gaps na kailangan, the Army will provide doon sa requirements they need. Nandyan tayo sumusuporta, siguro mga armored assets, training, we have available. We can readily provide that (We’re beefing up our firepower. Whatever gaps still needed to be addressed, the Army will provide the requirements they need. We are here to give support, perhaps armored assets, training, we have available. We can readily provide that),” he said during a press conference at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

The Army chief said a security plan is already in place for the elections, and he is confident the process will remain peaceful.

This, despite the reported internal conflict within the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“We are constantly having engagement with different parties there but I think kaya natin ‘yun (we can do it),” Nafarette said.

He said he does not see the temporary suspension of the decommissioning process for the remaining 14,000 MILF fighters as a roadblock to the election.

“The peace process is different from the election but they (MILF) have to join the election because their presence is also important,” Nafarette noted.

He said he instructed the troops in Mindanao to be vigilant against lawless elements who might try to spoil the election.

“We will be there to secure and provide the forces so that the people will not be hindered from voting,” he said.