No security threat to 1st polls in Philippines’ Muslim region, says Army

MANILA, Philippines (MNTV) – The Philippine Army (PA) has not monitored threats that could affect the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), set on Sept. 14, reports the Philippine News Agency.

“We do not see any major threats that could significantly disrupt the upcoming elections, although we continue to monitor areas with (a) history of election-related concerns,” Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said.

“The PA remains ready to support the Commission on Elections and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in ensuring a secure, orderly, and peaceful electoral process.”

Dema-ala said the PA has sufficient troops in the region for security missions on the ground, “particularly through our units under the 1st, 6th, and 11th Infantry Divisions in Western Mindanao.”

“These forces are ready to provide area security, reinforcement and rapid response support to the PNP, which has the primary role in election security,” he added.

Earlier, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) thanked lawmakers for passing the bill resetting the first regular parliamentary elections in the BARMM.

“With the approval of the House of Representatives and the Senate of their respective bills setting the date of the BARMM polls, the Commission on Elections can now focus on the equally important task of informing the people on the guidelines of the elections, and laying the groundwork that will ensure that the highly anticipated political exercise will be held in a peaceful, orderly and credible manner,” OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said in a statement.