The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conducted the final inspection of Regional Ballot Operations Center (RBOC) venues at the Headquarters of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, on September 13, 2026 — one day before the historic Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) scheduled for September 14, 2026.
The inspection covered canvassing venues designated for Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), focusing on security measures, operational arrangements, and the safety of COMELEC personnel and other stakeholders involved in the canvassing of votes.
Senior Officials Lead Joint Inspection at Camp Siongco
The joint inspection was led by COMELEC Chairman Atty. George Erwin M. Garcia and General Antonio G. Nafarrete, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. They were joined by Lieutenant General Donald M. Gumiran, Commanding General of the Philippine Army; Major General Jose Vladimir R. Cagara, Acting Commander of the Western Mindanao Command; Brigadier General Ricky P. Bunayog, Acting Commander of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Joint Task Force Central; and Police Major General Wilson Joseph F. Lopez, Deputy Chief of the Philippine National Police for Operations.
The high-level composition of the inspection team underscored the weight that both civilian and military authorities have placed on ensuring the credibility and security of the BARMM's first-ever parliamentary elections.
COMELEC Chair Calls Elections a Historic Milestone
COMELEC Chairman Garcia declared the designated venues ready and called on the AFP and PNP to extend their full support throughout election day.
"We are ready to conduct the BARMM Parliamentary Elections. I am requesting the full support of the AFP and PNP to ensure the peaceful conduct of the elections and to keep our voters and all personnel involved safe. We need to succeed in holding the first-ever elections of the BARMM. This is a historic moment, and we must ensure that these elections are conducted peacefully, securely, and credibly," Atty. Garcia said.
His remarks highlighted the singular importance of the September 14 vote, which marks the first time the Bangsamoro region will elect its own parliamentary representatives through a direct electoral process.
AFP Chief Cites No Threats Ahead of Voting Day
General Nafarrete, for his part, assured the public that no verified threats had been received in the lead-up to the elections and reaffirmed the military's commitment to protecting all parties involved.
"We have not received any threats leading up to the elections, and we remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of all voters, candidates, and civilians involved throughout election day," Gen. Nafarrete said.
The AFP, in coordination with the PNP and COMELEC, also confirmed it is actively verifying reports circulating on social media concerning alleged threats to peace and order. According to the AFP, the effort is intended to ensure appropriate responses to legitimate security concerns while preventing the spread of unverified information that could cause unnecessary fear among communities and voters.
Multi-Agency Coordination Spans Civilian and Security Sectors
The inspection drew participation from a broad coalition of government agencies and civil society groups. Representatives from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), and other concerned government and election stakeholder groups attended the activity.
According to the AFP, the final inspection provided an opportunity for all participating agencies to validate security protocols, assess operational arrangements, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and address any remaining concerns before polls opened.
Security Agencies Sustain Vigilance Through Election Day
The COMELEC, AFP, and PNP said they would maintain sustained coordination and interoperability throughout the conduct of the BARMM elections. The agencies described their posture as one of vigilance, with a focus on supporting a peaceful, orderly, secure, and credible electoral process.
The RBOC venues at Camp Siongco serve as the central canvassing hubs for the Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur provincial results, as well as for the Special Geographic Area — three of the most closely watched electoral jurisdictions in the BARMM region.
By the Numbers
- September 13, 2026 — Date of the final RBOC inspection at Camp Siongco
- September 14, 2026 — Scheduled date of the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections
- 3 jurisdictions covered by the inspected RBOC venues: Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and the Special Geographic Area (SGA)
- 6 senior officials jointly led the inspection, spanning COMELEC, AFP, and PNP
Why This Matters
The September 14, 2026 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections represent the first-ever direct parliamentary vote in the BARMM, making its peaceful and credible conduct a critical benchmark for the region's political development under the Bangsamoro Organic Law. The joint inspection by COMELEC, the AFP, and the PNP — involving the country's highest military and police operations officials — signals the national government's commitment to securing the process. The active monitoring of social media threats and the verification efforts led by the AFP also reflect the complex security environment in which the historic vote is being conducted.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of the Armed Forces of the Philippines