BARMM security tightened ahead of polls as Palaces pushes CAB's political track

Philstar.com

April 17, 2026 | 10:07am

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Malacanang’s push to advance the political track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) is gaining ground, as security forces intensify preparations for the region’s first-ever parliamentary elections this coming September 14.

Law enforcement and military units have begun boosting security operations across identified hotspots in the region, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensure that the historic electoral exercise proceeds peacefully and credibly as part of the broader normalization and transition process.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, through units of the 6th Infantry Division, has elevated its alert posture and is working in close coordination with the Philippine National Police to secure communities considered vulnerable to election-related unrest.

Lt. Col. Ronald E. Suscano, commander of the 6th Civil-Military Operations Battalion, said troops under Joint Task Force Central have adopted a more proactive security stance, focusing on early threat detection and rapid response capabilities rather than purely reactive deployments.

Instead of concentrating forces solely in urban centers, authorities are dispersing their presence across rural municipalities and conflict-prone barangays. These include parts of Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte, as well as selected villages in Cotabato Province and Cotabato City where election-related tensions have historically escalated.

Military and police units have also intensified intelligence coordination by integrating community-based information networks with formal surveillance operations. This is aimed at closely monitoring not only extremist remnants but also loosely organized armed groups that may be drawn into local political rivalries.

Security officials expressed concern over the possible reactivation or exploitation of armed factions, including those linked to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and other militant remnants, particularly in scenarios where local candidates may attempt to leverage such groups to gain advantage on the ground.

To address these risks, authorities have increased visibility through checkpoints and sustained patrols, while simultaneously strengthening less visible monitoring mechanisms. Officials emphasized that this calibrated approach is intended to deter escalation without causing undue alarm among residents.

The September parliamentary elections represent a major milestone in the implementation of the CAB, marking the transition of BARMM toward a fully elected parliamentary government — one of the central pillars of the peace agreement’s political track.

The Marcos administration has underscored the importance of this transition, viewing the successful conduct of the elections as critical to consolidating peace gains, strengthening democratic institutions, and affirming the region’s autonomy under the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

Security planners noted that the significance of the upcoming polls has raised operational stakes, prompting tighter coordination among the AFP, PNP, the Commission on Elections, and local stakeholders to safeguard both the integrity of the process and the safety of voters.

Despite persistent security challenges, authorities maintain that preparations remain on track, with the overarching objective of ensuring that the Bangsamoro electorate can freely and safely participate in what is widely regarded as a defining moment in the region’s governance and in the national government’s peacebuilding efforts. (Contributed story)

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