Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete has ordered all military commanders stationed in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to remain vigilant to ensure a peaceful and orderly regional parliamentary election next month.
Nafarrete issued his order during the military command conference here on Thursday, 18 days before the historic Sept. 14 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE)
“Remain vigilant, responsive, and prepared to address potential election-related challenges,” Nafarrete said during the top-level command conference he presided over at Camp Siongco, the headquarters of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
Brig. Gen. Ricky P. Bunayog, the 6ID commander and head of the Army-led Joint Task Force Central, and Brig. Gen. Edgar L. Catu, assistant division commander, welcomed Nafarrete and Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran during the meeting.
In attendance were other key AFP senior officials across Mindanao.
Nafarrete directed commanders and personnel to strengthen coordination, intelligence monitoring, and operational readiness across their areas of responsibility.
Ahead of the regional balloting, military personnel in BARMM are backed by about 10,000 augmentation forces from various Army units in the region.
Bunayog said the AFP in BARMM is intensifying security measures for the upcoming elections, with leadership closely monitoring threats and developments that could affect peace.
Nafarrete said the heightened preparations reflect the AFP’s commitment to working closely with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Philippine National Police, local government units, and other stakeholders to address the BPE’s security concerns.
So far, the Comelec has recorded one instance of election-related violence in BARMM, the ambush of the convoy of BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua on Aug. 15 in Datu Odin Sinsuat town. (PNA)