Early Security Preparations for Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election Underway
Following peaceful and orderly midterm elections last month, security officials are now launching early security preparations for the Oct. 13 regular election of the Bangsamoro parliamentary government. The early security preparations aim to maintain the smooth law enforcement and intervention efforts witnessed during the midterm polls.
Police Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac, commander of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao (APC-WesMin), explained that various police maneuver forces under APC-WesMin have already been alerted. “We have already alerted other police maneuver forces under the operational control of APC-WesMin to prepare for possible augmentation and operational support to Task Force BARMM,” Banac said.
Coordinated Efforts with Task Force BARMM
Task Force BARMM oversees all law enforcement and public safety operations to guarantee a peaceful and orderly election. It works closely with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Commission on Elections, and Philippine Coast Guard units stationed in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Banac, who also serves as the concurrent commander of Task Force BARMM, mentioned that reinforcements and operational support will come from the Zamboanga Peninsula and Soccsksargen regions, which include South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City.
Rescheduling and Significance of the Election
Originally, the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections were to coincide with the May 12 midterm polls. However, President Marcos signed a law postponing the elections to Oct. 13. This election marks a crucial step in fulfilling the peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and establishing the BARMM government.
Those elected in the parliamentary polls will replace the officials of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, which was set up in 2019 after the peace agreement to oversee governance in the region.
Security officials remain vigilant as preparations continue to ensure the elections proceed without incident. Local leaders noted the importance of these early security preparations in sustaining peace and order throughout the electoral process.
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