10/09/2026
Ensuring safe and secure parliamentary elections in BARMM.
PNP FORTIFIES BARMM FOR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS WITH 9,821-PERSON DEPLOYMENT
Peace at the polls begins long before the first ballot is cast. With the September 14, 2026 Parliamentary Elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) fast approaching, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is mounting a large-scale security deployment involving 9,821 personnel to help protect voters, election workers, polling sites, and other vital election facilities.
The deployment places police personnel in strategic locations throughout the region, with the largest contingent assigned to 4,313 voting centers. Security coverage will also extend to 208 Commission on Elections (COMELEC) offices, 218 treasurers’ offices, and 856 checkpoints, while 2,120 Quick Reaction Forces (QRFs) remain positioned to address situations requiring immediate police response.
Additional capabilities will come from 352 Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) personnel and 1,754 Special Electoral Board (SEB) personnel, creating a layered security arrangement that allows the PNP to address different requirements associated with the electoral process. These forces will complement regular police operations and help maintain order in areas where large numbers of voters and election workers are expected.
Police Regional Office BARMM will provide 4,361 personnel for the deployment, while 5,460 augmentation personnel will reinforce the regional police force. The augmentation comes from other Police Regional Offices and specialized PNP units, including 2,430 personnel from other PROs, 250 from the Maritime Group, 50 from the Highway Patrol Group, 146 from EOD-K9, 830 from the PNP Special Action Force, and 1,754 from the PNP SEB.
The breadth of the deployment reflects the PNP’s preparations for an election that requires security coverage across land-based voting areas, government facilities, and other locations connected to the electoral process. Specialized units will provide additional capabilities, while QRFs will remain available to address emerging situations and support police units when circumstances demand reinforcement.
PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Chief, PNP, underscored the importance of maintaining a police presence that reassures voters while protecting the electoral process.
“Our personnel are deployed not only to secure election areas, but to help create an environment where people can exercise their right to vote freely, peacefully, and without intimidation,” PGEN Nartatez said.
The PNP is also calling on voters and communities to contribute to a peaceful election by staying alert and reporting suspicious activities or incidents to authorities. Public cooperation can help police address security concerns promptly and prevent potential disruptions.
“Ang bawat botante ay dapat makaboto nang ligtas at malaya. Makipagtulungan tayo at agad ireport ang anumang kahina-hinalang gawain sa mga awtoridad,” he added.
The preparations reflect the PNP Focused Agenda, particularly Enhanced Managing Police Operations and Active Community Support, as the PNP strengthens election security and encourages public cooperation in maintaining peace.
With thousands of police personnel positioned for election security, the PNP is reinforcing its commitment to protecting the people and preserving public order throughout the electoral period. Every deployment, checkpoint, response team, and security detail carries one purpose: to help ensure that voters can participate in the parliamentary elections with confidence and peace of mind.
As the PNP strengthens its security presence to help protect every voter and safeguard the peaceful conduct of the BARMM Parliamentary Elections under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it continues to assure the public of its vision: “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”
(PNP-PIO)
