821 Zamboanga Peninsula cops deployed to help secure BARMM polls

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – The Police Regional Office 9 (PRO-9) dispatched 821 police personnel on Monday to reinforce security forces for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections on Sept. 14.

Brig. Gen. Elmer Ragay, PRO-9 regional director, led the ceremonial send-off at the PRO-9 quadrangle in Camp Col. Romeo A. Abendan, Barangay Mercedes in Zamboanga City. 

Maj. Shellamie Chang, chief of the PRO-9 Public Information Office, said the deployed personnel will serve as security forces and members of the Special Electoral Board.

READ: PNP: BARMM polls ‘under control’ despite watchdog concerns of violence

The security augmentation is strategically distributed across key areas in the autonomous Muslim region, particularly in Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Tawi-Tawi.

To maintain operational oversight, PRO-9 also deployed a team of “area supervisors” to oversee security measures, monitor personnel on the ground, and facilitate rapid coordination for emerging concerns within their designated areas.

In his address to the troops, Ragay highlighted that safeguarding the electoral process requires cooperation beyond police efforts.

“PRO-9 stands ready, prepared, and fully equipped to secure the BARMM parliamentary election,” Ragay said.

“Our forces are strategically positioned, trained, and committed to ensuring a peaceful, orderly, and credible electoral process. We are ready to respond, ready to protect, and ready to serve,” he added.

PRO-9 reiterated its mandate to maintain strict professionalism, impartiality, and responsiveness while carrying out security operations in close coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other key stakeholders./coa