PNP to bolster security at BARMM polls areas of concern

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will intensify its security measures at the areas of concern flagged by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the Sept. 14 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections.

“Ensuring the peaceful elections in BARMM is a continuing process. Security measures are in place but regular monitoring and real-time adjustments are being done based on the situation on the ground,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The Philippine National Police… has committed to implement added security measures in the more than 100 areas identified by the Comelec as areas of concern for the upcoming parliamentary elections in the BARMM,” he noted.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: PNP: No election-related incidents yet in BARMM polls

“We [will] strengthen our intelligence-sharing with the military as part of our crackdown against remnants of local armed and terror groups that may bring hostilities in the region,” the PNP chief further added.

Last week, Comelec identified 108 areas of concern for the BARMM parliamentary elections.

Lanao del Sur had the most areas of concern with 21 red zones, followed by Maguindanao del Sur with 11 orange zones.

Red zones are areas marked by Comelec for severe risks to the polls and previous violent election-related incidents, while orange zones are areas marked by Comelec for “serious armed security challenges.”

Article continues after this advertisement

“We call on the public to remain alert and vigilant and report to authorities if they find any suspicious individuals or groups that may threaten security,” Nartatez said.

“The goal has always been to provide the safest environment for all our kababayan (countrymen) in the area to freely choose their next leaders,” he added. /mr