Troops posted in Lanao del Norte town ahead of BARMM polls

The sudden appearance of Army and police troops along a highway in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, prompted concern among residents. The military said the deployment formed part of security preparations for the Sept. 14 Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.

Maj. Diosdado Joseph Tonilon, a Civil Military Operations officer with the Iligan City-based 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, urged the public not to worry. He said soldiers and police were carrying out joint law enforcement operations ahead of the elections, which are being described as historic.

The operations include simultaneous random checkpoints, a show of force and deterrence measures, Tonilon said. The military is working with the Philippine National Police, the Commission on Elections and other national agencies.

“We will thoroughly enhance the conduct of simultaneous random checkpoints together with the PNP, the Commission on Elections, and other national agencies as the 2026 BARMM election approaches,” Tonilon said in a text message to the media.

Lanao del Norte is outside the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, but it borders Lanao del Sur, which is part of the region. Authorities also urged the public to remain vigilant about unverified posts on social media.

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We will thoroughly enhance the conduct of simultaneous random checkpoints together with the PNP, the Commission on Elections, and other national agencies as the 2026 BARMM election approaches.