The Commission on Elections (COMELEC), in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), has identified multiple municipalities and cities nationwide as “Areas of Concern” for the upcoming 2025 elections. Among these, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) emerges with the highest number of flagged areas, classified under various levels of risk: Yellow, Orange, and Red categories.
This classification aims to prioritize security measures and mitigate potential election-related violence in identified areas.
Category Breakdown in BARMM
Yellow Category: 49 Areas
Areas in this category have a history of election-related incidents during the last two polls, along with possible threats from private armed groups.
List of Municipalities and Cities:
- Barira
- Bubong
- Datu Abdullah Sangki
- Datu Anggal Midtimbang
- Datu Blah T. Sinsuat
- Datu Unsay
- Gen. S.K. Pendatun
- Jolo
- Kadayangan
- Kalingalan Caluang
- Kapatagan
- Lamitan City
- Lugus
- Lumba Bayabao
- Maguing
- Lumbaca Unayan
- Lumbatan
- Madamba
- Malabang
- Masiu
- Matanog
- Mulondo
- Nabalawag
- Old Kaabakan
- Old Panamao
- Omar
- Pagawayan Tatarikan
- Pahamuddin
- Pandami
- Panglima Estino
- Pangutaran
- Parang (2 entries)
- Pata
- Patikul
- Picong Sultan Gumander
- Sapa-Sapa
- Sinutu
- Simunul
- South Ubian
- Sultan Kudarat (Nuling)
- Talayan
- Talipao
- Talitay
- Tamparan
- Tandubas
- Tapul
- Taraka
- Tongkil
- Upi
Orange Category: 22 Areas
These locations exhibit serious threats from armed groups, elevating the risk of violence.
List of Municipalities and Cities:
- Buldon
- Datu Hoffer Ampatuan
- Ganassi
- Guindulungan
- Hadji Muhtamad
- Indanan
- Kapalawan
- Lantawan
- Maimbung
- Malidegao
- Maluso
- Pagagawan (Datu Montawal)
- Pagalungan
- Piagapo
- Shariff Aguak (Maganoy)
- Sultan Mastura
- Sumisip
- Tabuan Lasa
- Tipo-Tipo
- Tuburan
- Tugunan
- Ungkaya Pukan
Red Category: 32 Areas
These are high-risk areas due to significant threats from armed groups and a history of severe election-related incidents.
List of Municipalities and Cities:
- Al Barka
- Ampatuan
- Bacolod Kalawi
- Balindong
- Bayang
- Binidayan
- Buadiposo Buntong
- Buluan
- Butig
- Cotabato City
- Datu Odin Sinsuat (Dinaig)
- Datu Paglas
- Datu Piang (Dulawan)
- Datu Salino
- Datu Saudi Ampatuan
- Hadji Mohammad Ajul
- Maguing
- Mamasapano
- Mangundadatu
- Marantao
- Marawi City
- Marogong
- Paglat
- Pandag
- Pualas
- Rajah Buayan
- Saguiaran
- Shariff Saydona Mustapha
- South Upi
- Sultan Barongis
- Tubaran
- Tugaya
Validation and Next Steps
COMELEC has stated that the listed Areas of Concern are subject to further validation. The final list is expected to be released by January 20, 2025. These designations will guide intensified security deployments to ensure peaceful elections in the identified areas.
The high-risk status of BARMM underlines the region’s political dynamics and the critical need for robust electoral safeguards.