CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City — The Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division has deployed additional troops to help strengthen security and ensure the safe, peaceful, and orderly conduct of the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections on September 14, 2026.
The additional forces came from the 29th and 30th Infantry Battalions, which were formally sent off during a ceremony at the 4ID Grandstand on Saturday, September 12.
The 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB) will be deployed to Barangay Sagunsungan in Marawi City, while the 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) will reinforce security efforts in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
4ID Commander Maj. Gen. Marion T. Angcao personally addressed the troops before their deployment, reminding them that their role during the elections requires a high degree of professionalism, discipline and impartiality.
Angcao instructed the soldiers to strictly observe the law and remain non-partisan in carrying out their election-related security duties.
The latest deployment adds to a series of military movements undertaken by the 4ID as part of the Philippine Army’s support to the national government and civilian agencies responsible for maintaining peace and security before, during and after the BARMM elections.
The division had earlier deployed the 75th Infantry Battalion (75IB) on July 15. The battalion was stationed at Hill 150 in Barangay Meta, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao del Sur.
On September 2, the 4ID also deployed the 3rd Special Forces Battalion to the headquarters of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Barangay Ma. Cristina, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte.
The September 2 deployment also included one Armor Platoon equipped with four Wheeled Armored Vehicles (WAVs), adding mobility and security capability to the military’s election-support posture in the area.
The deployments come as security preparations intensify across BARMM and neighboring areas ahead of the September 14 parliamentary elections, which will determine representatives to the Bangsamoro Parliament.
The military’s stated role is to support the security framework being implemented in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Commission on Elections (Comelec), local government units (LGUs), and other government agencies and stakeholders.
For the Philippine Army, the presence of additional troops is intended to help address potential security threats and provide a secure environment in which voters, election personnel and other stakeholders can carry out their respective responsibilities.
Angcao stressed that the soldiers must remain focused on protecting the democratic process while respecting the rights of voters.
“Our troops are prepared to perform their duties with professionalism, impartiality, and respect for the rights of every voter,” Angcao said.
He added that the division would continue coordinating with the PNP, Comelec, LGUs and other stakeholders to help ensure that the elections are conducted peacefully and credibly.
The commander’s directive for troops to remain strictly non-partisan is particularly significant during the election period, when military and police personnel are expected to perform security functions without favoring or supporting any candidate, political party or electoral group.
With the additional deployment of the 29IB and 30IB, the 4ID is reinforcing its contribution to the broader security effort surrounding the BARMM parliamentary elections, particularly in areas where the presence of security forces has been deemed necessary to maintain peace and protect the exercise of the people’s right to vote.
The September 14 elections mark a major milestone in the institutional development of the Bangsamoro region, making the security environment surrounding the polls a critical concern for government security agencies and electoral authorities.
The 4ID said its troops are prepared to perform their duties before, during and after election day while observing professionalism, discipline, impartiality and respect for the law and the rights of every voter.