Stable power, tighter security assured as BARMM polls near

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — Energy and security preparations for the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) have shifted into high gear with less than a week before the historic polls, with authorities moving to ensure uninterrupted power supply while deploying additional military and police personnel to election hot spots.

Top officials from the departments of Defense and Energy arrived in Cotabato City on Monday to inspect preparations for the Sept. 14 elections under the Energy Task Force Election (Etfe) Security Group.

The group aims to strengthen coordination among government agencies, security forces, energy stakeholders and private power distributors to protect critical energy infrastructure and ensure continuous electricity before, during and after the elections.

READ: Ballot boxes, other preparations all set for Sept. 14 BARMM polls

Cotabato Light and Power Co. and Maguindanao Electric Cooperative assured authorities of sufficient power supply for the elections.

Meanwhile, additional military and police forces are being deployed across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), particularly in areas considered election hot spots.

Bulk

The bulk of this week’s deployment, in coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), was in Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur, where most of the 26 localities placed under the red category—the highest threat classification—are located.

Nearly 2.4 million voters are expected to participate in the first BPE, which will also cover the island provinces of Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.

On Tuesday, the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion and 850 police officers from the Police Regional Office (PRO) 10 (Northern Mindanao) were deployed to Maguindanao del Sur and Lanao del Sur.

Lt. Col. Raul Escat, commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, said their deployment was part of the Army’s commitment to ensuring a “safe, peaceful, orderly, and credible electoral process” for the Bangsamoro people.

Troops in full battle gear, backed by armored personnel carriers, were sent to secure polling centers in Mangudadatu, Datu Paglas and General Salipada K. Pendatun in Maguindanao del Sur.

“Election security goes beyond maintaining peace and order; it also involves protecting the people’s right to exercise their democratic choice freely, safely, and without fear, intimidation, or undue influence,” Escat said.

During a Provincial Joint Security Control Center coordinating conference in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur, on Monday, Brig. Gen. Ricky Bunayog, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said security plans were already in place in his area of responsibility, which includes Maguindanao del Norte and parts of Lanao del Sur.

The Northern Mindanao police contingent, including 380 personnel trained as members of the Special Electoral Board, was deployed to Lanao del Sur, where 21 towns are classified under the red category.

Sendoff

During sendoff ceremonies in Cagayan de Oro City, Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr., PRO-10 director, reminded the contingent that their election duties were both “a privilege and an enormous responsibility.”

The BPE is the first parliamentary election in the BARMM, which was created through the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Last week, Maj. Gen. Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr., commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, said 10 Army battalions had already been deployed in Lanao del Sur.

On Monday, about 1,700 personnel from PRO-9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) and PRO-13 (Caraga) were also deployed, mostly to mainland BARMM provinces.

Hundreds of police personnel have also been trained to serve on Special Electoral Boards that will replace teachers who fail to report for their poll assignments.

Two Army support battalions were also deployed on Monday to secure polling centers in the Maguindanao provinces, according to Brig. Gen. Gremel Brual, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade.

Brual said the deployment included the 75th Infantry Battalion from the 4th Infantry Division and the 67th Infantry Battalion from the 10th Infantry Division.

Election watchdog National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) said the Comelec was well-prepared in terms of technical and logistical requirements.

Eric Jude Alvia, Namfrel secretary general, said in the group’s preelection assessment released Tuesday that the Comelec’s automated election system, ballot materials and legal calendar were ready. —With reports from Edwin O. Fernandez, Cong B. Corrales, Leah D. Agonoy, Richel V. Umel, Chris V. Panganiban, and Drema Quitayen Bravo