Security ramped up for first session of BARMM’s elected parliament

Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu (2nd from left), commander of the 6th Infantry Division, inspects the firepower of the Philippine Marines, on duty to secure Cotabato City for the inaugural session of the elected Bangsamoro Parliament on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. Photos by 6ID COTABATO CITY — Military and police forces are on full alert ahead of the inaugural session of the newly elected Bangsamoro Parliament on Friday, Oct.30, with troops and armored tanks deployed in strategic parts of the city despite no specific security threats monitored by the intelligence community. Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID), and Col. Jibin Bongcayao, director of the Cotabato City Police Office (CCPO), conducted security inspections around the city and surrounding areas to strengthen the troops’ operational readiness for the important occasion expected to draw the attendance of top officials from the government, diplomatic community, and the development sector. “The inspection is focused on strengthening security measures, enhancing operational preparedness, and ensuring that security forces remain ready to respond effectively to potential threats and emerging security concerns, particularly in Cotabato City, before, during, and after the (inaugural session),” Catu told reporters after visiting police, Army, and Marine units in the city. READ: BARMM’s majority coalition gains support of governors, Misuari Cotabato City serves as the seat of power of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), composed of the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi. Catu said authorities had not monitored any specific threats related to the opening of the regular Parliament’s inaugural session, noting that additional security personnel were part of preparations to ensure peace and order during the occasion. “We are working with all sectors in the BARMM government, local government units, and other stakeholders to prevent peace spoilers from disrupting the process,” Catu said. “Our objective is to ensure a peaceful, safe, and orderly selection while upholding the rule of law, respecting the rights of all concerned, and safeguarding the welfare of the people of BARMM,” he added. Top contenders The BARMM’s 80 elected parliament members will convene at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center inside the Bangsamoro Government Center on Friday to elect the chief minister, sergeant-at-arms, and other parliamentary officials. The top contenders for the chief minister are interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) and Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) and chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). READ: Iqbal welcomes Palace vow not to meddle in BARMM chief selection Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu, former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director general and former governor of Sultan Kudarat province, has also surfaced as a potential candidate for chief minister. Catu urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities by promptly reporting suspicious activities that could threaten the activity and their communities. He denied social media reports claiming that a lockdown had been imposed in Cotabato City as part of security preparations to prevent a repeat of the violence that marred the Sept. 14 regional parliamentary elections. Seven people were killed, and at least 15 others were injured in election-related violence in the city. “There is no lockdown. People can come and go in the city, but if people do not cooperate with authorities, a lockdown is imminent,” Catu said. Maj. Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), also emphasized the importance of sustaining peace and supporting the BARMM government’s peace and development programs while upholding democratic principles. “We encourage everyone to respect the democratic process and support whoever is elected as BARMM chief minister. Let us work together, regardless of political differences, to sustain peace, unity, and development in the Bangsamoro region,” Cagara said. Soldiers, backed by armored personnel carriers and Philippine Marine water assets, have been securing entry points to Cotabato City, including its waterways, to prevent possible disruptions during the historic parliamentary proceedings. Work from home As part of the preparations for the inaugural session, Macacua ordered government employees assigned to the Bangsamoro Government Center, where the inaugural session will be held, to work from home from Wednesday until Friday. READ: Gov’t keeps hands off BARMM parliament leadership vote He directed offices to maintain a skeletal workforce, particularly among frontline personnel, to ensure that essential services remain available and emergencies are addressed when necessary./coa The post Security ramped up for first session of BARMM’s elected parliament appeared first on Inquirer.net .