Members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the legislative body of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), have begun planning security measures to ensure that the first-ever regional parliamentary polls on Sept. 14 proceed peacefully and credibly.
Member of Parliament (MP) Butch Malang, chairperson of the BTA Committee on Public Order and Safety (CPOS), said Wednesday that he has scheduled a joint meeting with the BTA Committee on Local Government (CLG) to address security preparations.
“There is a need to closely monitor preparations and align efforts among agencies responsible for maintaining peace and order,” Malang said in a statement following a committee meeting.
The CPOS is also scheduled to meet with the officials of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) and the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, headed by Maj. Gen. Vladimir Cagara and Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) under Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran.
Among the possible steps being considered by the BTA is the deployment of additional police in areas that have been historically troublesome during elections.
Malang said he witnessed the security forces securing the balloting during the May 2025 local and national elections in the BARMM, which went peacefully in many areas.
Meanwhile, Malang’s committee is also scheduled to meet with Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia to help map out plans in securing the upcoming regional balloting and preserving the sanctity of the Bangsamoro vote.
Earlier, Bangsamoro Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua said the regional government is determined to ensure the first-ever election in BARMM is peaceful, orderly and credible “because the world is watching.” (PNA)