BARMM Set to Hold First Parliamentary Elections Amid Security Concerns

BARMM — September 10, 2026 — Set to hold its first parliamentary elections ang Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) sa September 14, marking an important step in the region’s political transition. However, security remains a major concern dahil patuloy pa rin ang mga naitatalang kaso ng violence sa iba't ibang bahagi ng region.

Around 2.393 million registered voters ang expected na makilahok sa elections. Nag-deploy naman ang authorities ng police at military personnel sa iba't ibang areas ng BARMM para makatulong na mapanatili ang peace and order at matiyak ang safety ng mga botante.

Security Concerns Continue

Despite the preparations, patuloy pa rin ang reports ng violence sa region. Based on data cited in the VERA Files report, 51 state-related killings ang naitala sa BARMM mula January hanggang August 2026.

Sa bilang na ito, 19 were civilians, 17 were alleged insurgents, and 15 were state agents.

Noong 2025 naman, BARMM ang may pinakamataas na bilang ng recorded state-related killings sa bansa, na umabot sa 56 cases. Kabilang dito ang 25 civilians, 20 alleged insurgents, at 11 state agents.

May mga naitalang gun violence incidents din habang papalapit ang elections. Ayon sa Critical Events Monitoring System na binanggit sa report, 39 people ang namatay dahil sa gun violence mula July 16 hanggang katapusan ng August 2026.

May gun ban ding ipinatutupad mula July 16 hanggang September 29 bilang bahagi ng election security measures.

First Parliamentary Elections

Sa kabila ng mga security concerns, tuloy ang preparations para sa September 14 polls. Ang halalan ay magiging isang major milestone para sa BARMM, dahil ito ang unang parliamentary elections ng autonomous region.

With millions of voters expected to participate, malaking focus ngayon ang security para matiyak na magiging safe and orderly ang voting process bago, habang, at pagkatapos ng elections.

Source: VERA Files