Philippine Army Deploys Elite Troops to BARMM to Ensure Safe, Orderly Elections

Sherman Calotes | Mindanao People's Press

 Cotabato City — May 11, 2025

In a bid to safeguard the peaceful conduct of the upcoming national and local elections, additional elite units of the Philippine Army have been deployed across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Major General Donald Gumiran, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID), confirmed on Saturday that a contingent from the 53rd Division Reconnaissance Company (53rd DRC) arrived at the Tactical Operations Group headquarters aboard a Philippine Air Force C-130 aircraft.

The elite troops were deployed to reinforce security efforts and help ensure that the May 12 elections are safe, orderly, honest, and credible. Gen. Gumiran emphasized that the military is committed to supporting the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other government agencies in upholding the integrity of the electoral process.

The 53rd DRC, composed of 500 officers and personnel, will augment the operations of the 90th Infantry Battalion in areas of North Cotabato and parts of BARMM's Special Geographic Area — several of which have been designated by the Comelec as election hotspots due to security concerns.

As of press time, over 5,000 military personnel have been deployed within the 6ID’s area of responsibility to assist in maintaining peace and security during the election period.

Authorities assure the public that all necessary measures are in place to ensure that voters in BARMM can freely and safely exercise their right to vote.