Tight Security Set for BARMM's First Session of Newly Elected Parliament
Military and police units in Cotabato City are on high alert ahead of the inaugural session of the newly elected Bangsamoro Parliament on Friday, October 30. Troops and armored vehicles have been posted at key points across the city, even though intelligence agencies have not detected any specific threats.
Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, who commands the Army's 6th Infantry Division (6ID), and Col. Jibin Bongcayao, head of the Cotabato City Police Office (CCPO), inspected security arrangements in the city and nearby areas. The session is expected to draw senior government officials, diplomats, and representatives of the development sector.
"The inspection is aimed at tightening security, improving operational readiness, and making sure our forces can respond quickly to possible threats and new security concerns, especially in Cotabato City, before, during, and after the session," Catu told reporters after visiting police, Army, and Marine units in the city.
Catu said no threats specifically linked to the session had been identified, but extra personnel have been brought in to help keep the peace.
"We are coordinating with every sector of the BARMM government, local government units, and other stakeholders to stop peace spoilers from derailing the process," he said.
"Our goal is a peaceful, safe, and orderly selection that upholds the rule of law, respects everyone's rights, and protects the welfare of the people of BARMM," he added.
Who is in the running
Cotabato City is the seat of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which includes Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi.
The region's 80 elected parliamentarians will meet at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center inside the Bangsamoro Government Center on Friday to choose a chief minister, a sergeant-at-arms, and other parliamentary officers.
Two names stand out for the chief minister post. One is interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP). The other is Ahod "Al Haj Murad" Ebrahim, who leads the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) and chairs the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Suharto "Teng" Mangudadatu, a former director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and ex-governor of Sultan Kudarat, has also emerged as a possible candidate.
Calls for vigilance
Catu urged residents to stay alert and work with authorities by quickly reporting anything suspicious that could disrupt the session or endanger their communities.
He also dismissed social media posts claiming that Cotabato City was under lockdown as part of security measures to prevent a repeat of the violence that marred the September 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), stressed the importance of respecting democratic processes and supporting the BARMM government's peace and development programs.
"We encourage everyone to respect the democratic process and back whoever is elected chief minister. Whatever our political differences, let us work together to sustain peace, unity, and development in the Bangsamoro region," Cagara said.
Soldiers, supported by armored personnel carriers and Philippine Marine water assets, are guarding entry points into Cotabato City, including its waterways, to prevent disruptions during the historic proceedings.
Work-from-home order
As part of the preparations, Macacua ordered government employees assigned to the Bangsamoro Government Center, where the session will be held, to work from home from Wednesday through Friday. Offices are to keep only a skeleton staff, especially frontline personnel, so essential services continue and emergencies can still be handled.