BARMM polls: PNP still on ‘heightened alert’ despite prep suspension

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will still be on “heightened alert” for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections despite the suspension of poll preparations.

“(Acting PNP Chief) P/Lt. Gen. (Jose Melencio) Nartatez has instructed all police units in the BARMM to stay on heightened alert and maintain close coordination with the Comelec (Commission on Elections), the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and local government units,” the agency said in a statement on Thursday.

Comelec suspended its preparations for the BARMM parliamentary elections in compliance with a Supreme Court order prohibiting the poll body and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority from implementing Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 77, which redistributes the seven seats originally allocated to Sulu.

Sulu had been formally declared as part of the Zamboanga Region through Executive Order No. 91 dated July 30, 2025.

READ: Comelec suspends preparation for Bangsamoro parliamentary polls

“We fully respect the Supreme Court’s decision and the Comelec resolution to suspend election preparations,” Nartatez said in the statement.

“Our duty is to maintain peace and security in the region, and we will sustain our readiness so that, once the green light is given, we are prepared to secure the elections,” the acting PNP chief added.

According to the national police force, 22 individuals were arrested and 32 firearms were confiscated from Aug. 14 to Sept. 16 amid the gun ban being implemented for the BARMM polls.

Further, the PNP noted that it conducted 14,828 Comelec checkpoints in the region during the said period. /mr