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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider BARMM polls on track, situation 'manageable,' says Comelec

BARMM polls on track, situation 'manageable,' says Comelec

Published Aug 4, 2026 04:18 pm
GARCIA (Comelec FB)
GARCIA (Comelec FB)
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‎DAVAO CITY – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia on Tuesday assured the public that preparations for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao parliamentary elections remain on track, with the overall peace and order situation described as "manageable."
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‎Garcia said none of the 105 municipalities and two cities in the BARMM have filed petitions to be placed under Comelec control.
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‎"Some areas initially tagged under the 'red category' have since been downgraded to orange or green. As election day approaches, we are seeing relative peace and order across the Bangsamoro," he noted.
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‎He clarified that recent violent incidents in the region were not election-related: The grenade attack in Maguindanao del Sur was determined by the Philippine National Police and the Army to be retaliation against a neutralized rebel leader, while the killing of a councilor in the Special Geographic Area stemmed from a private dispute and did not involve a candidate.
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‎"So far, the situation is manageable — our preparations for the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections are very peaceful," Garcia added.
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‎He also reiterated that the poll body is "95 percent ready" for the holding of the BARMM parliamentary elections on Sept. 14, urging the public not to believe fake news circulating online claiming that the elections would not push through.
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‎With almost 2.4 million voters throughout Bangsamoro, Garcia said 5,212 polling precincts will be available during the elections.
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‎"Now that the Comelec has sufficient funds, also with the help of the Bangsamoro Parliament, we deemed it proper to lower the number of voters per precinct to just 600 — that's why it became 5,212," he added.
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‎Garcia emphasized that all ballots have been printed and packed, and deployment has begun. Technicians have arrived in Cotabato City for training and will be assigned to schools, while teachers and 3,000 Philippine National Police personnel are scheduled for two weeks of training starting next week.
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‎"As for our PNP, we have 3,000 who are undergoing training to serve as substitutes for teachers, just in case they are unable to serve on election day. They are also included in the training; we want them to be DOST-certified as well, just like our electoral board members," Garcia added.
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‎He said critical preparations will be completed before the end of August, with all election materials in place by the first week of September. (PNA)
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Comelec BARMM Davao City
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