Malacañang has assured the public that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains committed to holding peaceful, fair, and transparent elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), despite a petition before the Supreme Court challenging key aspects of the parliamentary polls.

Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Anton Lagdameo conveyed the assurance to BARMM stakeholders and key leaders following the High Court filing.

"All necessary preparations for the conduct of the historic Bangsamoro parliamentary polls this coming 14 September are in full swing, and the President himself had given assurance that this key part of CAB’s political track is the fulfillment of Bangsamoro people’s aspiration for self-government," Lagdameo said, referring to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

Lagdameo added that the 14 September election serves as a critical trigger for the normalization process. Under the CAB, the final phase of decommissioning Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants is tied to the establishment of a duly elected regional government.

Speaking at a Palace briefing Monday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos has directed government agencies to ensure the orderly conduct of the vote, addressing concerns over potential violence and the pending legal challenge.

Castro’s statements followed a gathering by members of AMANA-BARMM outside the Supreme Court, one day after the group filed an urgent motion seeking resolution on election-related issues.

"The districts, representation, and party participation governing that election remain under constitutional challenge," said AMANA-BARMM convenor Maulana Mamutuk.

Addressing a report by Climate Conflict Action Asia claiming 235 people were killed in conflict incidents from January to July — including 28 allegedly linked to the upcoming election — Castro said the Philippine National Police is working to verify the numbers.

"For now, according to the PNP, they welcome this kind of information, but they are verifying it, and that is what they will do," Castro said.

She cited that according to the Commission on Elections, the reported violent incidents were not election-related, but rooted in personal disputes.

Castro said the PNP is maintaining law enforcement operations against private armed groups and security threats, coordinating closely with Comelec and the Armed Forces of the Philippines through Joint Security Control Centers. Security forces have also intensified intelligence gathering, community engagement, and political neutrality enforcement.

At least 8,299 PNP personnel have been deployed for election security across BARMM, with additional units on standby based on threat assessments and Comelec requests. The AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard are providing additional support, particularly in designated areas of concern.