‘Deploy more troops for BARMM elections’

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and the Commission on Elections should ensure that the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will be peaceful and orderly, according to National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.

The BARMM – comprised of Sulu, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Tawi Tawi – will hold its first parliamentary elections on May 12 next year, coinciding with the midterm elections.

“Our concern in the next election is the BARMM. We might be putting more troops into BARMM areas to ensure (security) because this is their first parliamentary election. There is a problem with stability,” Año said.