PH Army says it has sufficient troops to secure BARMM polls
Philippine News Agency
By Priam Nepomuceno
September 9, 2025, 4:58 pm
MANILA -- The Philippine Army (PA) said Tuesday it has sufficient forces on the ground to secure the first-ever parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) next month.
In an interview with reporters at the PA headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, PA chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete said two PA divisions in BARMM would be deployed for election duties.
"We have enough forces on the ground, and we have additional forces preparing in case these two divisions need additional units," he added in a mixture of Filipino and English.
He was referring to the 1st and 6th Infantry Divisions that are attached to the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom).
"And I've been there, and I was there in WestMincom. I know the dynamics, and I'm in constant (communication) with my two division commanders. We're beefing up our firepower, and filling up the gaps," said Nafarrete, a former WesMinCom commander. "The PA will provide the requirements they need."
He said they also have contingency measures in place for any eventualities.
The BARMM parliamentary election is scheduled on Oct. 13. (PNA)
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