In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s directive to intensify law enforcement operations in preparation for the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE 2025) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parliamentary Elections (BARMM PE), the Philippine National Police (PNP) through the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR), officially activated the Special Task Force-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (STF-BARMM) at Camp BGen Salipada K Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte on March 24, 2025.
With a multifaceted mission, the said Task Force is mandated to ensure a safe, fair, and peaceful elections across the region—where majority of the identified election hotspots in the country are located.
In collaboration with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the STF-BARMM was created, following a series of Political Candidates’ Forums and Peace Covenant Signing conducted in the region, specifically on March 19 at the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division (6ID), Philippine Army (PA), in Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
Police Lieutenant General Bernard M. Banac, Commander of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao (APC-WM), personally led in the launching of the Task Force. He was accompanied by Police Brigadier General Romeo J. Macapaz, Regional Director of PRO BAR; Commodore Marco Antonio P. Gines, Acting Commander of Coast Guard District BARMM, represented by CD Makaradat L. Uddin, Chief of Staff, Coast Guard District BARMM; Major General Donald M. Gumiran, Commander of the 6th ID, PA, represented by Colonel Ruben G. Aquino GSC (INF) PA, Acting ADC, 6th ID; and Atty. Ray F. Sumalipao, CPA, Regional Election Director of COMELEC BARMM.
Under the STF- BARMM, PNP will deploy more than 8,000 personnel from Police Regional Offices 9, 10, 11, and 12; as well as other PNP Support Units including select PROs from Visayas and Luzon.
On April 7, PRO 12, led by Police Brigadier General Arnold P. Ardiente, Regional Director, held a Send-Off Ceremony for its STF-BARMM contingent. On April 14, additional forces from the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) also arrived in BAR. The newly deployed troops—from the 73rd and 74th Special Action Companies under the 7th Special Action Battalion, will serve as reinforcements for the PNP Units assigned to PRO BAR.
Likewise, on April 20, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) under the leadership of Police Major General Anthony A. Aberin, Regional Director, conducted a pre-deployment briefing to 300 NCRPO personnel who will join the STF-BARMM. These police officers are assigned from the five (5) police districts of NCRPO, as well as its Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB).
In a separate statement, Police General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, PNP Chief, warned against efforts to disrupt the democratic process through violence or intimidation, stating: “To those who seek to sow fear, intimidate voters, or manipulate the elections through violence—this is your final warning: the full force of the law will be upon you. We will not tolerate any attempt to undermine our democracy.”
“Commanders on the ground must anticipate threats, act swiftly, and maintain strict neutrality. I expect a proactive stance against any form of election-related violence,” he added.
The Nation’s Peacekeeper has also undertaken calibrated security operations across the country; focusing on election hotspots and areas with intense political rivalries. Police assistance desks have been set up in various campaign venues throughout the country, particularly in vulnerable areas said the PNP Top Cop.
While PGen Marbil warned PNP personnel against engaging in partisan politics, he also urged the candidates and their supporters to uphold the law and reject violence, reminding them of their responsibility to lead by example.
