The Philippine Army said it has deployed almost a thousand personnel to augment the security operations in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on 30 October.
These soldiers will be stationed and are expected to render security duties during BSKE in the BARMM’s six provinces, including Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the Philippine Air Force fetched the soldiers from various units located in Luzon and Mindanao and transported them to their respective deployment areas.
Trinidad said government security forces are mandated to provide security to the Commission on Elections personnel, poll deputies, and other government staff performing election-related duties.
They are likewise tasked to ensure the availability of transportation assets, communications systems, and other equipment that could be used by the commission in conducting the elections, he added.
“Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido in his earlier guidance, underscored the significant responsibilities of the Army troops in the coming polls: To practice the right of suffrage as well as to ensure the safe, orderly, and peaceful conduct of elections,” Trinidad underscored.
Galido’s guidance also includes intensified security efforts, in collaboration with the Philippine National Police and other government security forces in the BARMM.
The PNP-BARMM has listed 249 villages across the region that have been classified by the police as “areas of grave concern,” or under “code red” for the approaching BSKE.