The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will strategically deploy troops across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to safeguard its upcoming parliamentary elections, military leadership announced Monday.
The commitment was made by Maj. Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara during his assumption of command as acting head of the Western Mindanao Command at Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City. Cagara, the former commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, succeeded Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran, who was appointed chief of the Philippine Army. AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete Jr. presided over the ceremony.
The security announcement follows a recent ambush targeting the convoy of BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. Macacua was unharmed from the attack, which drew widespread condemnation from government and security officials.
Addressing the security situation, Cagara emphasized that Westmincom will work in close coordination with election administrators and security agencies to maintain order, noting the historic weight of the regional polls in securing long-term regional stability.
“We will deploy our forces strategically to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and credible election environment, guaranteeing that the democratic rights of the Bangsamoro people are protected without fear or disruption,” Cagara said.
Outgoing Westmincom commander Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran added that the inaugural BARMM parliamentary elections represent “more than an electoral exercise,” calling them a critical milestone in the peace process.
“It represents an important milestone in the Bangsamoro peace process in our collective aspiration for lasting peace, democratic governance, and stability in Mindanao,” Gumiran said, noting that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued explicit directives to safeguard the process. “The Commander-in-Chief has given us a clear instruction to help ensure that these historic elections are peaceful, orderly, and credible.”
Gumiran stressed that military forces must protect the region’s progress and “must not allow violence, intimidation, or partisan interests to undermine these hard-earned gains.”