Police and military officials on Saturday vowed to ensure a peaceful and orderly plebiscite tomorrow for the ratification of Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in various areas of Mindanao and in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The upcoming plebiscite will determine the fate of the proposed law, which seeks to create an autonomous Bangsamoro entity, that would help usher in peace and prosperity in the long restive and strife-torn region.

President Rodrigo Duterte is banking on the law’s ratification to heal and correct what he called as “historical injustices” suffered by the Moros.

Earlier, Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde had said more than 20,000 police officers and military men had been deployed to maintain peace and ensure the safety of the voters during the political exercise.

As it is, the entire Mindanao region remains under martial rule.

For his part, Cotabato City police head Senior Supt. Michael Lebanan said voters should have nothing to worry about as enough number of police officers has been deployed in the city and nearby areas.

“We are 100 percent ready,” Lebanan said.

The Commission on Elections has prepared 2.1 million ballots for voters of the ARMM, Cotabato City and Isabela City in Basilan where the plebiscite will be held on Monday.

The rest of the core territories, including contiguous areas that asked to be included in the new Bangsamoro area, will get to vote on 6 February.

Meanwhile, ARMM police director Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares, also assured the residents of a peaceful and orderly conduct of the referendum in their area of jurisdiction.

To recall, Albayalde and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Benjamin Madrigal Jr. on midweek, assured the public that security measures for the 21 January plebiscite were already in place.

“We have many troops, more than 20,000 will be deployed for this exercise alone” Albayalde said.

Madrigal added that authorities were continuously monitoring places in Mindanao where there are known armed groups but, so far, there are no security threats to the upcoming plebiscite.