Philippines Intensifies Security Ahead of BARMM Polls, Eyes Abu Sayyaf, BIFF Remnants

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The military is intensifying security operations against remaining armed group networks and preventing election-related violence ahead of the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in September. The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) said it is focusing on known security hotspots in Basilan and nearby areas before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) implements a region-wide gun ban on Thursday, July 16. The operations come as the Bangsamoro region prepares for its September 14 parliamentary polls, a vote seen as a major test of the predominantly Muslim region’s transition from decades of armed conflict toward democratic governance. Security officials have warned that remnants of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Basilan, as well as splinter groups of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in central Mindanao, could be exploited by local political actors during the election period. These groups can become tools for coercion, intimidation and other forms of election-related violence if their networks are allowed to persist. AFP-WestMinCom commander Lieutenant General Donald Gumiran said the AFP has rolled out the CARES (Collective Action for Resilience, Economy, and Security) framework, which emphasizes coordination between security forces, local governments and civilian agencies. The military said the approach aims to create a safer environment for election officials to deploy automated counting machines, conduct voter education and reach remote communities that have historically been affected by armed conflict. The heightened military presence, however, has drawn mixed reactions from political groups competing in the BARMM elections. Former Basilan governor and representative Abdulghani “Gerry” Ajul Salapuddin, a nominee for a seat in the BARMM parliament, expressed support for the security operations, saying they were necessary to ensure candidates and voters could participate freely. Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman and other regional leaders said stronger security measures could help prevent armed groups and private forces from being used to influence voters. “We cannot build a genuine parliamentary system if our poll watchers and organizers cannot enter interior barangays because private armed groups control the roads,” Hataman said. Some local political figures, however, urged the military to maintain strict neutrality, warning that counterterrorism operations should not be used to target legitimate political opponents or favor certain candidates. They said security forces must ensure that election-related operations remain focused on protecting communities rather than influencing political outcomes. For residents of Basilan and the Sulu islands, security remains central to their hopes for a credible election. Amina Abubakar, a 41-year-old resident of Basilan, said communities want the freedom to choose leaders without fear of armed groups. “We want our local votes to mean something this September, but we cannot choose our leaders freely if armed bandits are roaming our backyards,” said Abubakar. “We want our children to see that changes come from the ballot box, but not from guns.” With the gun ban set to take effect and election preparations accelerating, AFP-WestMinCom said it will continue security operations to prevent armed groups from disrupting the vote. The military’s challenge, officials said, is to balance maintaining peace and security while ensuring that the historic BARMM elections remain free, fair and politically neutral. – Rappler.com