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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP tightens security in 27 BARMM 'red' areas ahead of first parliamentary polls

PNP tightens security in 27 BARMM 'red' areas ahead of first parliamentary polls

Published Jul 20, 2026 03:43 pm

At A Glance

  • The Philippine National Police (PNP) has tightened security operations in 27 Comelec-designated red category areas ahead of the Sept. 14 BARMM parliamentary elections to prevent election-related violence.
  • PNP Chief, Police Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said police will increase visibility, strengthen intelligence operations, and deploy the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) strategy in high-risk areas.
  • The election gun ban remains in effect while police have been directed to coordinate with local governments and broker peace pacts with clans and groups to help ensure peaceful and orderly elections.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. (File photo: Office of the Chief, PNP)
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. (File photo: Office of the Chief, PNP)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced Monday, July 20, that it has stepped up security operations in 27 areas under the highest election risk classification ahead of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's (BARMM) first parliamentary elections in September.
Police Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., PNP chief, said police units have been ordered to strengthen security measures in all areas that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) placed under the “red” category.
“Our goal is to implement long-term changes to finally address the negative perceptions that come with the conduct of elections in this region due to the incidents that happened in the past. It's a work in progress, and we are on the right track,” Nartatez said.
Comelec earlier classified 27 election areas as red category because of serious security threats. The poll body said the areas face risks from communist terrorist groups and other armed threat groups.
The areas are in Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and the Special Geographic Area (SGA).
Nartatez said the PNP will rely on the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO), a deployment strategy he introduced when he served as commander of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao.
He said police visibility will increase while intelligence operations will be intensified to detect threats and stop election-related incidents before they happen.
“The PNP will closely coordinate with the local government units in securing the days ahead of the BARMM elections,” Nartatez said.
On top of this, the PNP said the election gun ban remains in force across the Bangsamoro region. Police commanders have also been instructed to coordinate with local leaders and facilitate peace pacts among clans and groups to help keep the elections peaceful, honest, and orderly.
The upcoming parliamentary polls will be the first under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which replaced the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with BARMM and established a parliamentary form of regional government.
The elections on September 14 will choose members of the Bangsamoro Parliament, which will in turn elect the region's chief minister. Police have identified election security as a key challenge because parts of the region have a history of armed conflict, political rivalry, and election-related violence.

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PNP BARMM Comelec parliamentary elections red category
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