MAGPET, Cotabato — The Philippine Army’s 28th Infantry (Kamagong) Battalion has been declared mission-ready and deployed to support security operations for the 2026 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections after successfully completing the rigorous Battalion Evaluation and Certification Program (BECP).
The deployment underscores the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) continuing efforts to help ensure that the region’s first parliamentary elections are conducted in a peaceful, orderly, safe, and credible manner.
The battalion’s Send-Off Ceremony and the formal closing of the BECP were held on July 24, 2026, at the unit’s temporary headquarters in Sitio Estremos, Barangay Poblacion, Magpet, Cotabato. The event was presided over by Major General Alvin V. Luzon, Commander of the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division.
Led by Lieutenant Colonel Elben M. Naval, Commanding Officer of the 28th Infantry Battalion, the Kamagong troopers will augment election security forces in the Bangsamoro region, working alongside other government security agencies tasked with safeguarding the electoral process.
The battalion successfully earned an overall “Satisfactory” rating during the BECP and was officially certified as “Trained,” validating its combat readiness, operational capability, discipline, and preparedness to undertake critical security missions.
Military officials said the certification demonstrates the unit’s sustained commitment to maintaining high operational standards and readiness to respond to evolving security challenges while carrying out its constitutional mandate.
In his keynote address, Major General Luzon praised the battalion for its outstanding performance during the evaluation and emphasized the vital role the soldiers will play in protecting the integrity of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
“The successful completion of the Battalion Evaluation and Certification Program gives us confidence that our soldiers are fully prepared for the mission ahead. As you deploy to support the BARMM Parliamentary Elections, you carry the responsibility of helping ensure a secure environment where every eligible voter can freely exercise the right of suffrage,” Luzon said.
He further reminded the troops to remain politically neutral and uphold the highest standards of military professionalism throughout their deployment.
“Remain professional, politically non-partisan, and steadfast in upholding the Constitution, the rule of law, and the trust reposed upon us by the Filipino people,” the division commander added.
Immediately after the certification ceremony, the battalion conducted its Send-Off Ceremony, where deploying personnel received final guidance and were reminded to faithfully perform their election security duties in close coordination with other government security forces.
Army officials stressed that maintaining political neutrality remains paramount, with troops expected to focus solely on preserving peace and public safety while ensuring that voters across the Bangsamoro region can freely exercise their democratic rights without fear, intimidation, or violence.
The deployment of the 28th Infantry Battalion forms part of the broader election security preparations being undertaken by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the historic BARMM Parliamentary Elections. The mission reflects the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division’s continuing commitment to maintaining mission-ready forces capable of supporting national security operations and fulfilling the military’s constitutional mandate of helping guarantee a peaceful, orderly, safe, and credible electoral process.
As security forces continue their preparations across the Bangsamoro region, the deployment of the battle-tested Kamagong Battalion reinforces the government’s commitment to protecting the democratic process and ensuring that the landmark parliamentary elections proceed in an atmosphere of peace, stability, and public confidence.