AFP, PNP vow peaceful BARMM polls

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete reaffirmed the military’s commitment to ensuring peaceful and credible 2026 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections during a high-level command conference at Camp Salipada K. Pendatun.

Nafarrete joined Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. and key security officials following a Western Mindanao Command briefing.

Addressing delegates, Nafarrete described peaceful elections as a collective responsibility dependent on strong coordination and discipline among stakeholders.

He pledged the military’s full backing to Comelec to safeguard voting rights and maintain stable conditions as the region prepares for self-governance polls scheduled for 14 September 2026.

Concurrently, Nartatez announced reinforced security measures across BARMM. He reported that while the regional security climate remains stable, ground forces continue monitoring operations to prevent disruptive influences.

Nartatez cited that police forces are closely coordinating with Comelec and the AFP to verify recent reported incidents, adding that nearly all turned out to be driven by non-electoral motives.

He also assured the public that police remain in control despite a single recorded election-related incident in the region.

The enhanced security posture aligns with directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Interior secretary to heighten visibility, increase patrols, enforce the regional gun ban, and strengthen community checkpoints leading up to the historic parliamentary election.