CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Army’s 4th Infantry Division has stepped up security preparations for the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections as government agencies reactivated the Regional Joint Security Control Center in Northern Mindanao.

The 4ID hosted the RJSCC Region 10 reactivation and its first command conference at Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday.

The activity was led by Commission on Elections Regional Election Director Renato Magbutay, Police Regional Office 10 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr., Coast Guard Commodore Dennis Rem Labay and 4ID commander Maj. Gen. Marion Angcao.

Seventy-one officials and representatives from Comelec Region 10, PRO 10, Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao and military joint task forces operating in the region attended the conference.

Officials discussed election preparations, security plans, potential threats and areas requiring greater coordination among government agencies before, during and after the polls.

Angcao said security forces must anticipate potential threats as the filing of certificates of candidacy approaches, noting that security conditions and challenges vary among communities in Northern Mindanao.

He said election security requires proactive measures beyond meetings and reports.

“For the 4th Infantry Division, our commitment is clear. We will monitor all election-related incidents and take appropriate action when necessary,” Angcao said.

“As for our security operations, we will also continue to prevent threat groups and remaining members of the communist terrorist group from intimidating or threatening voters and candidates,” he added.