The BARMM police label 30 towns as areas of concern throughout the region ahead of the upcoming barangay and youth elections
GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines – The Commission on Elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said they are already fully prepared for the upcoming barangay and youth elections in the special region, and there will no longer be a postponement.
The SGA refers to the 63 barangays in Soccsksargen region’s Cotabato province that voted to be included in the BARMM during a plebiscite in 2019. Also falling under the red category are seven towns in Basilan, eight in Lanao del Sur, and two in Maguindanao del Norte, according to Brigadier General Allan Nobleza, PNP-BARMM director, on Thursday, August 24.heightened political rivalries, with the potential for violenceApart from the 30 towns categorized as red, 10 barangays in the SGA in Cotabato have also been designated as red category areas.
On the same day, a gun battle with mortar fire broke out between the groups led by MILF commanders Kutong Talutan and Ato Abas, causing hundreds of residents in the SGA barangay of Nabundas in Pikit town, Cotabato to flee. For the SGA alone, Nobleza said the PNP needs at least 1,100 police personnel more to be deployed to quell any unrest that may arise during the elections.Speaking on local broadcaster DXMS in Cotabato City on Thursday, August 24, Nobleza said the region has registered about 350 gun attacks from January to August, resulting in numerous fatalities.