Manila: More police personnel arrived Thursday in Maguindanao del Sur and Lanao del Sur to augment forces securing the historic Sept. 14 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE).

According to Philippines News Agency, in Maguindanao del Sur, Col. Michael Mangahis, the provincial police director, welcomed 150 police personnel from the Police Regional Office - Davao (PRO-11) at Camp Datu Akilan Ampatuan in Shariff Aguak town. The PRO-11 contingent will collaborate with police units under the Police Regional Office - Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) already stationed in the province. Mangahis expressed appreciation for the reinforcement and assured that all personnel will be properly oriented and guided.

Mangahis emphasized that the unified force is now fully prepared to secure communities, protect every vote, and uphold peace and credibility throughout the electoral process. Meanwhile, about 200 police personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-Soccsksargen Region (RMFB-12) also arrived in Maguindanao del Sur to serve as Special Electoral Boards (SEBs) and security contingents in support of the 2026 BPE. Col. Samuel Cadungon, RMFB-12 commander, stated that with strong leadership and dedicated personnel, RMFB-12 remains steadfast in its mission to protect the electoral process and uphold the democratic exercise of the people.

In Lanao del Sur, additional military forces were also deployed to bolster security for the BPE. The Army's 1st Infantry Division (1ID) mentioned that the deployment forms part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' routine election security posture in areas considered to require additional support during the polls. The 1ID indicated that additional military land and air assets will augment the 10 battalions of soldiers currently deployed in the province. They emphasized that the deployment is preventive and protective in nature and should not cause alarm among residents.