COTABATO CITY — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has intensified maritime security and safety operations across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as authorities prepare for the region’s first parliamentary election on September 14, 2026, deploying additional personnel and assets to safeguard voters, election workers, passengers, and maritime communities.
A major component of the heightened security effort is the arrival of the BRP Capones (MRRV-4404), which was received by the Coast Guard District Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (CGDBARMM) in the waters off the Polloc Freeport and Ecozone in Barangay Polloc, Parang, Maguindanao, on September 11.
The Coast Guard vessel was deployed to assist CGDBARMM during the historic parliamentary elections, adding a major maritime asset to ongoing security and safety operations in the region.
Before arriving at Polloc, BRP Capones had transported and dropped off 60 augmented Coast Guard personnel from the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM) to the Coast Guard Station Basilan and Coast Guard Station Central Tawi-Tawi.
The augmentation is intended to strengthen the Coast Guard’s capacity to secure strategic coastal and island areas during the electoral period, when increased movement of voters, election personnel, government workers, and other stakeholders is expected.
The PCG said the deployment of BRP Capones, along with additional personnel, underscores its commitment to supporting a safe, secure, peaceful, and orderly electoral process in the Bangsamoro region.
The Coast Guard’s role extends beyond conventional election security. Its personnel are also tasked with maintaining maritime safety, responding to emergencies, assisting passengers and vessels, and ensuring the continued movement of people and goods across the region’s extensive island and coastal communities.
Heightened maritime security in Tawi-Tawi
In Tawi-Tawi, the Coast Guard Station Central Tawi-Tawi (CGS CTT) has intensified maritime safety and security measures ahead of the September 14 elections.
One of its key measures is the expanded conduct of Pre-Departure Inspections (PDI) on vessels operating within its area of responsibility.
The inspections are aimed at ensuring that vessels comply with maritime safety requirements and are fit for voyage, particularly with the anticipated increase in sea travel during the electoral period.
The Coast Guard said the inspections are designed to protect passengers, election personnel, maritime workers, and other stakeholders who rely heavily on sea transportation in the island province.
Tawi-Tawi’s geography makes maritime transportation particularly important, with communities spread across islands and coastal areas. Any disruption or maritime incident during the election period could affect the movement of voters, election personnel, supplies, and other essential services.
The intensified inspections are therefore being carried out as part of broader preparations to prevent avoidable maritime accidents and ensure that vessels operating during the election period meet required safety standards.
Coast Guard personnel deployed to voting centers
Beyond vessel inspections and port security, CGS CTT has also deployed Coast Guard personnel to various voting centers across Tawi-Tawi.
The personnel are providing security assistance and helping ensure the safe movement of voters, election personnel, and other stakeholders in coastal and island communities.
The deployment forms part of the PCG’s wider election-security effort to maintain peace, order, and safety in areas where maritime transportation is a critical part of daily life.
The Coast Guard has likewise intensified operations in ports, coastal areas, and other strategic locations in an effort to prevent maritime incidents and maintain the safe and continuous movement of people and vessels.
These operations are being conducted in coordination with partner government agencies and security forces as authorities prepare for the first BARMM parliamentary elections.
Maritime security becomes critical on election day
The heightened Coast Guard presence comes as security agencies across Mindanao mobilize thousands of personnel and resources for the historic electoral exercise.
For the PCG, securing the election does not only mean protecting polling places. It also involves securing the maritime routes that connect communities, particularly in island provinces such as Tawi-Tawi and Basilan.
The deployment of additional personnel and BRP Capones provides the Coast Guard with greater capability to conduct maritime patrols, assist in emergencies, support other government agencies, and respond to security or safety incidents that may arise during the electoral period.
The PCG has emphasized that its operations are intended to support the constitutional exercise of the people’s right to vote while ensuring that maritime travel remains safe and orderly.
As the Bangsamoro region prepares to hold its first parliamentary election on September 14, the Coast Guard’s expanded presence underscores the importance of maritime security in protecting the electoral process—not only on land, but also across the waters connecting the region’s coastal and island communities.