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Security preparations ramp up in Bangsamoro ahead of historic polls
🇵🇭 Philippines /Elections & Politics

Security preparations ramp up in Bangsamoro ahead of historic polls

From Philippine Daily Inquirer · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The Philippine Army deployed three additional battalions to Bangsamoro, with another expected before the Sept. 14 parliamentary elections.
  • Ten Army battalions will be stationed in Lanao del Sur, where 21 localities face the highest election-security threat classification.
  • Officials said the deployments aim to support free, orderly, honest and peaceful voting.

The Philippine Army is sending more forces to Bangsamoro as the region prepares for its first parliamentary elections on Sept. 14. Three additional battalions arrived over two days, and another is expected before polling day.

The 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division sent two provisional battalions to Lanao del Sur during National Heroes Day. The province has 21 localities classified by the Commission on Elections as Red category areas, indicating serious threats and a history of election-related violence.

Our mission is to secure an environment where citizens can freely exercise their democratic right without fear, intimidation, or disruption.

— Maj. Gen. Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr.The 1st Infantry Division commander described the purpose of the troop deployment.

As of July 29, Comelec had placed 26 towns across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao under the Red classification. The list includes two towns in Maguindanao del Sur and one each in Maguindanao del Norte, Basilan and the Special Geographic Area.

to ensure a free, orderly, honest, and peaceful conduct of the BARMM elections

— Maj. Gen. Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr.Barroquillo explained the intended role of the provisional battalions.

The new deployment brings the number of Philippine Army battalions in Lanao del Sur to 10. Armor and field artillery units will support them, while the 3rd Special Forces Battalion is expected to arrive before the vote. The Davao de Oro-based 10th Infantry Division also deployed 395 soldiers to Maguindanao del Sur and Basilan.

Maj. Gen. Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr., commander of the 1st Infantry Division, told troops to remain professional, disciplined and impartial, and to respect voters’ rights. “Our mission is to secure an environment where citizens can freely exercise their democratic right without fear, intimidation, or disruption,” he said. Maj. Noelio Brigole said the provisional battalions were composite units formed from headquarters and battalions outside Lanao del Sur, and would return to their parent units after the elections.

These are composite units drawn from headquarters and battalions outside Lanao del Sur. After the elections, they will be returned to their respective units.

— Maj. Noelio BrigoleThe 1st Infantry Division spokesperson described the temporary battalions.
About this summary

Originally published by Philippine Daily Inquirer in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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