The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified security operations across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as the filing period for Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for parliamentary district representatives enters its final stretch.
The PNP said additional police personnel have been deployed to key areas, with checkpoints set up to deter potential threats and maintain order during the sensitive election period, according to PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
The heightened alert follows instructions from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla to ensure peaceful and credible elections in the region.
Authorities said the measures are part of broader preparations for the BARMM parliamentary elections scheduled on September 14, an activity considered a crucial step in the region’s political transition.
Police commanders have also been directed to strengthen coordination with local government units, including barangay officials, to safeguard both the electoral process and the gains of the Bangsamoro peace efforts.
Despite the increased security posture, the PNP reported no major threats or incidents linked to the ongoing COC filing period, which the Commission on Elections set to conclude on May 7.
The police force said it will sustain its operations in the coming months as election activities intensify, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring a safe, orderly, and credible vote in BARMM.