MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is ready to deploy additional troops in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) if unrest emerges. after the Sept. 14 parliamentary elections, its spokesperson said Tuesday.
“We will not be speculating on what could happen. But rest assured that we have been preparing for this incident and in coordination with all other agencies, and we are prepared to deploy accordingly,” Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
He was responding to questions about the possibility of renewed conflict if losing parties refused to accept the election results.
The Bangsamoro Organic Law was enacted in 2018, and the BARMM was established in 2019 after voters ratified the law. The law stemmed from the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The first regular parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for May 2022, were postponed several times before being reset to Sept. 14, 2026.
Padilla said the AFP maintained a wide military presence in the region, including troops from the 1st, 4th, 6th and 10th Infantry Divisions.
“Our presence is there, and we will continue to perform our mandate accordingly,” she said.
READ: Palace: BARMM parliamentary polls generally peaceful
The AFP’s mission was to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and credible election, protect voters and prevent election-related violence, Padilla said.
The military had been coordinating with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the lead agency, the Philippine National Police, local government units and other stakeholders to support the electoral process, she said.
The AFP had also deployed troops to secure the transport of ballots and establish checkpoints.
“We have sufficient forces to support the elections,” Padilla said.
She added that the military would continue carrying out its mandate under the direction of the Comelec.
“Our troops are reminded to remain professional, impartial, and disciplined in how they would be carrying out their duties,” she said.
Padilla urged the public to remain vigilant against vote-buying, intimidation, threats and other forms of undue influence.
She said the AFP would not speculate on possible developments after the elections but would remain prepared to respond to validated security requirements.
The military has not said that renewed conflict is imminent. /mcm
The post AFP ready for possible post-election conflict in BARMM appeared first on Inquirer.net.
