ZAMBOANGA CITY — Authorities in Central Mindanao are set to adopt appropriate and simplified security measures to ensure residents of Maguindanao province of a peaceful and orderly plebiscite on 17 September.
Key officials who will play a vital role during the conduct of the plebiscite gathered in Cotabato City on Thursday to finalize plans to be adopted for the 2022 Maguindanao Plebiscite.
They include Police Regional Office for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Mus lim Mindanao Director Pol. Brig Gen. John Gano Guyguyon; Joint Task Force Central Commander Major General Roy M Galido; Maguindanao Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu; and Commission on Elections (Comelec) officers led by Atty. Marissa Corazon Nefalar,
Police and military authorities have also discussed measures to adopt during the implementation of a province-wide gun ban from 16 August to 24 September, the last day of the plebiscite period.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Republic Act 11550 last May 2021 which provides for the division of Maguindanao province into two areas — Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.
Comelec has adopted Resolution 10797 which set 17 September as the date of the plebiscite to ratify the division of Maguindanao Province.
Maguindanao comprises 36 municipalities, subdivided into 508 barangays and has a population of 1,667,258, according to the 2020 census.
In the plebiscite, Maguindanao del Norte will be composed of the municipalities of Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura and Talitay.
Maguindanao del Sur will be made up of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdulla Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Sharif Aguak, Sharif Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis,
Talayan and South Upi.
The designated capital for Northern Maguindanao will be Datu Odin Sinsuat while the designated capital of Southern Maguindanao will be Buluan.