The Philippine National Police (PNP) has officially transitioned to full election-day security operations following the conclusion of the campaign period on September 12, mobilizing 10,439 officers across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for the September 14 parliamentary vote.
Under the direction of PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., the force has mobilized 4,979 officers from Police Regional Office BARMM alongside 5,460 augmentation troops drawn from neighboring regional offices and specialized units. The total deployment incorporates 2,465 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) personnel stationed for immediate tactical response, as well as 1,754 officers designated to serve as Special Electoral Board (SEB) members.
The security footprint covers all 1,186 designated voting centers across the autonomous region. As of 11:00 AM on Sunday, election authorities completed 100 percent of the final testing and sealing procedures for voting machines across every voting center.
Nartatez stressed that police operations are designed to protect voters while maintaining strict political neutrality at polling places.
“The campaign is over. Now, the attention should be on the voters. Our people are there to keep the polling areas safe, assist when needed, and respond when necessary—but they must always remain impartial. Bantayan natin ang proseso, pero huwag nating panghimasukan ang desisyon ng botante. That is the kind of police service expected from us tomorrow,” PGen Nartatez said.
The police leadership instructed deployed personnel to exercise professional conduct, restraint, and strict adherence to human rights standards. The PNP is maintaining continuous operational coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and local government units to handle contingency measures and preserve order.
With campaigning officially closed, law enforcement authorities reiterated that candidates, campaign teams and supporters must adhere to all election-period prohibitions. Voters are advised to follow guidelines set by polling staff, adhere to center protocols, and report potential violations through official channels.
The comprehensive security deployment forms part of the PNP’s Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) framework aimed at boosting police visibility and rapid response capabilities, fulfilling President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s mandate for an orderly, safe and credible democratic exercise across the region.