TUBOD, Lanao del Norte — Interior officials and government security agencies convened key regional stakeholders Wednesday to establish media safety protocols and inter-agency coordination strategies ahead of the upcoming Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 10 hosted the consultative meeting at its provincial office here, bringing together representatives from the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, local police forces and municipal officials.

The regional elections are scheduled for 14 September 2026.

Bruce A. Colao, regional director of DILG Region 10, opened the assembly by highlighting the role of journalists in preserving democratic integrity during elections.

Meantime, DILG acting provincial director Jay Niel C. Añasco outlined the consultation’s operational objectives.

Presentations during the session focused on regional media protection and integrated security frameworks.

Charity Care N. Lavandero, acting municipal local government operations officer for Nunungan, detailed media security operations within the autonomous region.

Police Col. Leo de Leon Sua, provincial director of the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office, delivered briefings on the task force’s security partnerships and outlined the role of law enforcement in supporting joint monitoring teams during the campaign and voting period.

Participants later held an open forum to address security concerns and establish communication channels among security forces, election monitors, and news organizations. Program manager Abdullah M. Alip delivered the closing remarks.