Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. assured residents of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Thursday that the deployment of additional personnel and checkpoints was part of security preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections and should not cause alarm.

Nartatez said the measures were intended to protect communities and maintain order during the polls, in line with directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

While increased police visibility and other security measures have received positive feedback from most residents and stakeholders, some have raised concerns over the additional checkpoints.

Nartatez assured the public that the deployments were standard security measures ahead of the 14 September parliamentary elections.

“We all want to have peaceful and orderly elections in BARMM and for your PNP, there is an extra challenge: to get rid of the stereotype that elections always come with violence in this particular region and to prove that it is doable,” Nartatez said.

The Commission on Elections earlier reported a significant increase in checkpoints across BARMM amid security concerns raised by some groups.

Nartatez said election security preparations were progressing well because of strong coordination among the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, local governments and other stakeholders in the region.

Residents should expect more checkpoints in the coming days as law enforcement agencies intensify security measures to prevent potential threats and protect communities, he said.

The heightened police presence is also intended to deter election-related violence and harassment.

The PNP urged residents to cooperate with law enforcement personnel as security operations intensify.

“Police presence is not meant to intimidate or sow panic, but to ensure that the security concerns of the public are addressed,” Nartatez said.

He also urged residents to follow protocols and advisories issued by local authorities and law enforcement agencies.