Almost 10,000 police officers have been deployed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure security and maintain peace during the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
In a press briefing in Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday, August 18, PNP Chief PolGen. Nicolas Torre III said that 9,732 personnel will be stationed across the region to safeguard the polls scheduled for October 13, according to RH Edniel Parrosa's report on "Rapido Hataw Balita."
“Bilang bahagi naman ng paghahanda naman sa 2025 BARMM elections nakapag-deploy ang PNP ng almost 10,000 na personnel sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng BARMM,” Torre said.
Citing the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) data, Torre said that 94 out of 108 municipalities and cities in BARMM are considered areas of grave concern, with 29 classified as red-category areas requiring heightened attention.
While two municipalities—Buluan in Maguindanao del Sur and Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte—are currently under Comelec control.
“Ang lahat ng hakbang na ito ay bahagi ng ating masusing preperasyon upang matiyak ang ligtas at mapayapa at credible na halalan sa rehiyon,” Torre added.
Moreover, as mandated by the COMELEC, the gun ban was implemented starting August 14 and will remain in effect until October 28.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. previously stressed that any fraudulent activity during the BARMM elections would be unacceptable.
BARMM has consistently remained on the PNP’s watchlist during every election due to its history of gun-related violence.
