As the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) gears up for its first-ever regular parliamentary elections set on September 14, 2026, government agencies and key stakeholders are intensifying preparations to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and credible electoral process. The upcoming 2026 Bangsamoro Parliament Election (BPE) marks a historic milestone in the region’s democratic transition as it shifts from the interim Bangsamoro Transition Authority to a fully elected parliamentary government.
In line with this significant development, the Philippine National Police (PNP), under the leadership of PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., reaffirmed its commitment to securing the electoral process through strengthened inter-agency coordination and proactive security measures.
On April 28, 2026, Police General Nartatez joined government officials, election authorities, and civil society partners during the Command Conference for the 2026 BARMM Parliamentary Elections and 2026 Sangguniang Kabataan Elections held at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center in Camp BGen Rafael T Crame, Quezon City. The conference served as a vital platform for discussing operational strategies, security preparations, and collaborative efforts to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming elections.
The 2026 BPE will be a defining moment for BARMM, as voters will elect a total of 80 members of parliament, comprising 40 party representatives, 32 district representatives, and 8 sectoral representatives. The election is expected to shape the future political landscape of BARMM and further strengthen democratic governance and self-determination in the region.
Present during the conference were Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia; Undersecretary Athalia B. Liong of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP); Minister Jordan S. Bayam of the Ministry of Interior and Local Government; Assistant Secretary Ria Lumapas of the OSAP; Lieutenant General Arvin Lagamon, Acting Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; Vice Admiral Edgar Ybañez, Deputy Commander for Operations of the Philippine Coast Guard; Assistant Director General Dennis Godfrey Gammad of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency; Mr. Angel S. Averia Jr., Chairperson of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections; Ms. Maribel Buenaobra of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting; Atty. Helen Graido of LENTE; Undersecretary Nestor B. Sanares of the Department of the Interior and Local Government; and other key PNP officials.
The gathering underscored the importance of a whole-of-government approach in ensuring the successful conduct of electoral exercises in BARMM. Discussions focused on intelligence coordination, peace and order concerns, election security deployment, voter protection, and mechanisms to address potential threats and disruptions during the election period.
The PNP emphasized that maintaining peace and security remains among its top priorities, particularly in areas with historical security challenges. Through close collaboration with security forces, government agencies, LGUs, and election stakeholders, PNP aims to foster public confidence and guarantee that every eligible voter can freely exercise their right to vote without fear or intimidation.
As preparations continue months ahead of the landmark elections, PNP assured the public that all necessary measures are being undertaken to uphold democracy, protect the sanctity of the ballot, and ensure that the 2026 BARMM Parliamentary Election becomes a symbol of peace, unity, and progress in the Bangsamoro region.
