Security tightened in 108 'areas of concern' in BARMM elections slated September 14

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has committed to heightening security measures in 108 areas identified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as "areas of concern" for the Sept. 14 parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The classification covers areas facing varying levels of security risks that could affect the conduct of the polls.

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.

“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 PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. in a statement on Tuesday.

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.

“The goal has always been to provide the safest environment for all our kababayan (countrymen) 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,” Nartatez stressed, adding that this is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure the safety and security of communities in the BARMM and support the peaceful, orderly, and credible conduct of the parliamentary elections.

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 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.

Last week, Nartatez said they have not recorded any election-related violence in the region.

A gun ban is in effect in the entire BARMM from July 16 to Sept. 29.

Around 400 candidates are vying for 86 positions in the autonomous region's first parliamentary elections.

The elections will be held in Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Tawi-Tawi, as well as in Cotabato City and more than 63 barangays in Cotabato classified as special geographic areas.

Based on the PNP data, a total of 9,463 police officers 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.

-Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/Philippine News Agency