BARMM police tightens security ahead of COC filing

COTABATO CITY - The Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) has rolled out enhanced security measures, deploying 4,888 police personnel to ensure a safe and orderly filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2025 midterm elections from Oct. 1 to 8. 'This is to ensure the safety of every Bangsamoro citizen, particularly the aspiring candidates who will be submitting their COCs during this period,' PRO-BAR Director Brig. Gen. Prexy Tanggawohn said in a statement Monday. Police deployment covers Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Cotabato, Marawi, and Lamitan. Despite a Supreme Court ruling that separated Sulu from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), police in the province remains under the operational jurisdiction of PRO-BAR. The deployment includes 1,468 personnel securing routes and checkpoints, 1,294 in civil disturbance management, 1,232 for security assignments, 544 for convoy sec urity, and 350 serving as quick reaction forces. Tanggawohn said PRO-BAR is coordinating with other government agencies to ensure a neutral, apolitical stance during the election process, which will continue through the May 12, 2025 elections. Source: Philippines News Agency