15/09/2026
PNP SECURES BARMM AS PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS BEGIN
Under the leadership of Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP), the PNP is fully deployed across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as voters cast their ballots today, September 14, 2026 for the region’s first parliamentary elections.
As of 8:00 AM today, 1,045 or 88.11% of the 1,186 voting centers had opened. The elections involve 2,393,202 registered voters, 14,605 established precincts, and 5,212 clustered precincts. Final testing and sealing had also been completed in all 1,186 voting centers as of September 13.
The PNP is likewise maintaining heightened security in 93 identified Election Areas of Concern across BARMM, including 27 areas classified under the red category, with additional police presence, closer monitoring, and strengthened coordination with other security agencies in areas requiring heightened attention.
As of the latest operational update, two areas have been placed under COMELEC control following reported election-related incidents. These are Cotabato City, following explosion and shooting incidents, and Maluso, Basilan, where a pre-shading of ballots incident affected eight of the 18 polling centers. COMELEC is facilitating the delivery of replacement ballots from Manila, while the PNP continues to provide the necessary security and police assistance in coordination with election authorities.
All PNP offices and units in PROBAR remain on Full Alert Status effective 12:01 AM of July 16, 2026 until 11:59 PM of September 30, 2026, ensuring that police personnel and resources remain ready throughout the election period, including the post-election phase.
“This is an important day for the Bangsamoro people, and our role is very clear: help create an environment where every qualified voter can exercise the right to vote safely and peacefully. We are there to assist, to secure, and to respond when needed. Gawin natin ang trabaho natin nang mahinahon, patas, at may respeto sa bawat isa,” PGen Nartatez said.
The Chief PNP reminded all personnel to remain impartial, professional, and respectful of the rights of voters, candidates, election workers, and other stakeholders while performing their duties.
The election security deployment forms part of the PNP’s Focused Agenda, with Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) guiding the deployment of police resources, monitoring of developments, coordination among units, and timely response to emerging concerns. These efforts support the peace and security priorities of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the government’s commitment to a safe and orderly democratic process.
The PNP continues to coordinate with the Commission on Elections, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of the Interior and Local Government, local government units, and other security stakeholders to address election-related concerns and maintain public safety throughout the voting and post-election period.
As BARMM voters exercise their democratic right today, the PNP remains committed to carrying out its mandate with professionalism, restraint, and accountability, helping ensure that every qualified voter can participate in the electoral process in a safe and peaceful environment, consistent with the Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.
(PNP-PIO)
