MANILA, Philippines — One area in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was newly tagged under the Red category, while two others were downgraded from Red to other categories ahead of the first parliamentary elections, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
From the total of 27 areas in BARMM under the red category as of July 15, 2026, this brings the current total of those under the same status to 26.
Based on its latest areas of concern as of July 29, 2026, Comelec said Datu Piang in Maguindanao del Sur was classified from Orange to Red category. Areas under the Red category are those with serious threats and a history of election-related violence.
READ: Comelec: 27 BARMM areas under ‘Red category’ ahead of parliamentary polls
Meanwhile, Pandag and Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao del Sur were placed from Red to Yellow category. Under the Yellow status, areas had a history of election-related incidents.
On its latest list, Comelec said that the areas under the Red status are: 21 from Lanao del Sur; two from Maguindanao del Sur; and one each from Basilan, Maguindanao del Norte; and Special Geographic Areas (SGA).
The following areas are:
Lanao del Sur:
Bayang
Binidayan
Butig
Ganassi
Kapai
Lumbaca Unayan
Lumbatan
Lumbayanague
Marantao
Marogong
Masiu
Mulondo
Pagayawan
Piagapo
Poona Bayabao
Pualas
Saguiaran
Sultan Dumalondong
Tamparan
Taraka
Tubaran
Maguindanao del Sur:
Shariff Saydona Musthapa
Datu Piang
Basilan:
Al-Barka
Maguindanao del Norte:
Datu Odin Sinsuat
Special Geographic Areas:
Tugunan
Meanwhile, the Comelec said that 23 areas were listed under the orange category or those with serious threats. Eleven of them came from Maguindanao del Sur; five from Lanao del Sur; three from SGA; and two each from Maguindanao del Norte and Basilan. It noted that Gen. S. K. Pendatun and South Upi in Maguindanao del Sur were classified from yellow to orange category.
READ: Reported violence in BARMM not election-related, Palace says
Yellow status was raised over 41 areas: 14 from Lanao del Sur; 10 from Maguindanao del Sur; eight from Maguindanao del Norte; five from Basilan; and four from SGA. Classification of Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao del Norte and Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Paglat, Rajah Buayan, and Sultan Sa Barongis in Maguindanao del Sur was changed from orange to yellow.
Lastly, 18 areas were classified under green category or those with no security threats: 11 from Tawi-Tawi; four from Basilan; two from Maguindanao del Norte; and one from Maguindanao del Sur. Datu Blah Sinsuat and Parang in Maguindanao del Norte were tagged from yellow to green category.
The Philippine National Police earlier said that a total of 8,299 personnel were deployed for the conduct of the parliamentary elections that will be held on September 14, 2026. /cb
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