COTABATO CITY — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), has deployed more than 5,000 military personnel and a range of modern land, air, and maritime assets to ensure the peaceful, orderly, and secure conduct of the 2026 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections.
WestMinCom said election security begins with preparedness, emphasizing that comprehensive planning, sufficient troop deployment, close coordination with stakeholders, rapid response capability, and readiness for various contingencies are essential in safeguarding the historic regional polls.
To strengthen security operations across the Bangsamoro region, the AFP has mobilized several advanced military platforms, including FA-50 light combat aircraft, Super Tucano attack aircraft, S-70i Black Hawk utility helicopters, T129 ATAK attack helicopters, MD-520MG reconnaissance helicopters, Sabrah light tanks, the Autonomous Truck-Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS), and Fast Attack Interdiction Craft-Missile (FAIC-M) naval assets.
Military officials said the deployment of these assets enhances the AFP’s capability to conduct aerial surveillance, rapid troop movement, maritime security patrols, emergency response, and support operations in areas considered vulnerable or geographically isolated.
The AFP earlier clarified that the presence of military forces in the BARMM is not intended to militarize the elections but to provide security assistance and ensure that voters can freely and safely exercise their right to vote during the region’s first parliamentary elections under the Bangsamoro governance system.
WestMinCom also reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the gains of the peace process while carrying out lawful security operations in areas where Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) communities are present. The Command said it continues to coordinate closely with the MILF, local governments, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and other stakeholders to avoid misunderstandings and maintain stability during the election period.
The military emphasized that existing coordination mechanisms under the Guidelines for Mutual Understanding between the Government of the Philippines and the MILF remain in effect. These guidelines ensure the unhampered movement of COMELEC personnel, election materials, voters, and AFP and PNP personnel deputized for election duties in communities where MILF members reside.
WestMinCom likewise stressed that while it respects concerns raised by various sectors, any unilateral declaration placing MILF communities “off-limits” to government security forces does not override the lawful mandate of the AFP and PNP to perform election security duties authorized by COMELEC.
Regarding reports on bamboo barriers installed in selected polling centers, the Command clarified that these are temporary crowd-management measures intended to organize voter flow and prevent congestion. Military officials stressed that the barriers are not meant to limit voter access and that priority assistance will continue to be provided to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and other vulnerable sectors.
As a COMELEC-deputized force, the AFP underscored that its role is limited to maintaining peace and order, securing election-related activities, and responding to security concerns. Election administration, the military stressed, remains solely under the authority of the COMELEC and its authorized election personnel.
WestMinCom reiterated its commitment to strict political neutrality while providing the security support necessary to ensure a peaceful, honest, orderly, and credible electoral process in the Bangsamoro region.
“With no room for complacency, preparedness remains the first step toward security,” the Command said, expressing confidence that coordinated efforts among security forces, election officials, peace stakeholders, and communities will help guarantee safe and successful BARMM parliamentary elections.