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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP steps up security in 108 areas identified by Comelec as areas of concern for BARMM polls

PNP steps up security in 108 areas identified by Comelec as areas of concern for BARMM polls

Published Aug 11, 2026 10:58 am
Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered the implementation of additional security measures in at least 100 areas in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which were declared as areas of concern for the parliamentary elections next month.
Nartatez issued the directive after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) identified 108 areas of concern for the BARMM parliamentary elections scheduled on September 14. The classification covers areas facing varying levels of security risks that could affect the conduct of the polls.
“Ensuring the peaceful elections in BARMM is a continuing process. Security measures are in place but regular monitoring and real-time adjustments are being done based on the situation on the ground,” said Nartatez.
“The goal has always been to provide the safest environment for all our kababayan in the area to freely choose their next leaders, and eventually prove that BARMM is way different now compared to what it was known in the past, especially during elections,” he added.
Based on the Comelec report, Lanao del Sur has the highest number of red zones with 21, followed by Maguindanao del Sur with 11 orange zones. Maguindanao del Norte and Basilan have areas classified from low to high risk while Tawi-Tawi remains relatively secure and stable.
Comelec classifies red zones as areas marked by severe risks and previous violent incidents that may warrant increased election oversight while orange zones are areas confronted with serious armed security challenges.
Yellow zones are areas with a documented history of election-related disturbances while green zones are considered secure localities with no identified security threats.
Last week, Nartatez said they have not recorded any election-related violent incident in BARMM. A gun ban is currently in effect for the entire BARMM, which was implemented last month for the start of the election period.
Nartatez said the PNP will also strengthen coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as part of its security preparations for the elections.
“We strengthen our intelligence-sharing with the military as part of our crackdown against remnants of local armed and terror groups that may bring hostilities in the region,” Nartatez said.
“We call on the public to remain alert and vigilant and report to authorities if they find any suspicious individuals or groups that may threaten security,” he added.
The first BARMM elections were held on the second Monday of September this year, or on Sept 14, with around 86 positions being sought for by around 400 candidates.
The elections will be held in Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur and Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato City and more than 63 barangays in Cotabato classified as special geographic areas.
Based on the PNP data, a total of 9,463 policemen have been deployed so far, most of them coming from the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region with almost 5,000.
The rest came as augmentation from National Support Units (NSUs) and from other Police Regional Offices. A team of a special electoral board was also formed as part of the security measure for any untoward incident.
The elections will be held in Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur and Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato City and more than 63 barangays in Cotabato classified as special geographic areas.

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