As the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) prepares for its inaugural parliamentary elections on September 14, 2026, 850 police officers from Northern Mindanao have been deployed to ensure a secure voting environment.
Deployment Details and Historical Context
Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr., the police director for Northern Mindanao, emphasized the importance of this deployment during the send-off ceremony at Camp 1Lt. Vicente G. Alagar in Cagayan de Oro City.
This is history in the making, a milestone in our journey, in your journey in the PNP (Philippine National Police) service.
Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr.
The police contingent will include 380 personnel assigned as special electoral boards to facilitate the voting process, along with 77 members dedicated to rapid response for any incidents at polling stations.
Babagay reminded the officers of their duty, linking the election's significance to the peace process that transformed the political landscape in the region.
He called on the officers to uphold strict discipline and follow police operational procedures, reinforcing the need for constant coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Armed Forces.
This deployment is a crucial part of the security measures being implemented as the BARMM progresses through its first major electoral event since the establishment of the autonomous region in 2019, following years of conflict and instability.