MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed around 10,000 personnel to secure the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Oct. 13.

In a press briefing on Monday, PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the deployment is part of efforts to prevent election-related violence and ensure peaceful polls in the region.

“Bilang bahagi naman ng paghahanda naman sa 2025 BARMM elections nakapag-deploy na ang PNP ng almost 10,000 na personnel sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng BARMM,” Torre said.

“All the security measures we are implementing are part of the preparation to ensure a safe, peaceful and credible elections in the region,” he added.

A gun ban under Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 11149 has been in effect since Aug. 14 and will last until Oct. 28. Prohibited acts include carrying firearms or deadly weapons without Comelec authority, use of unauthorized bodyguards by candidates, and creation of strike or reaction forces.

The resolution also prohibits the suspension of elected officials, transfer of civil service employees without Comelec approval, and changes in polling precincts during the election period.

Torre said 94 towns in BARMM are under the “red” category, or areas of grave concern. Two towns – Buluan in Maguindanao del Sur and Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte – are currently under Comelec control due to violence, though the declaration may soon be lifted.

Violators of the Comelec resolution face imprisonment of one to six years without probation, disqualification from holding public office, loss of voting rights, and deportation for foreigners after serving their sentence.

The resolution covers the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and BARMM’s eight new municipalities in North Cotabato’s Special Geographic Area. (PNA)