A comprehensive multi-agency review of peace and security operations was conducted at Headquarters 6th Infantry Division, Camp Siongco, in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte on September 16, 2026 — bringing together military commanders, law enforcement units, and partner government offices in the wake of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections.
The gathering was organized to take stock of how security forces performed during the electoral period, identify what worked well, and draw actionable lessons to guide planning for future elections in the region.
AFP Peace and Development Office Leads the Proceedings
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Peace and Development Office (AFPPDO), working closely with the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division (6ID) and various partner agencies, took the lead in organizing and directing the post-election assessment, according to an official statement released by the 6ID.
At the helm of the review were Brig. Gen. Ricky P. Bunayog, who serves as Acting Division Commander of 6ID and Joint Task Force (JTF) Central, and Col. Alvin G. Iyog, Chief of the AFP Peace and Development Office. Both officers, along with their respective staff, guided the discussions throughout the proceedings, the 6ID statement said.
The assessment brought together a broad coalition of institutions. Representatives from the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the Joint Peace and Security Team, and several other government bodies all took part in the review.
Key Agenda: Coordination, Lessons Learned, and Future Planning
Central to the discussions was the question of inter-agency coordination — specifically, how well the various participating organizations communicated and operated together during the election period, and where improvements could be made. According to the 6ID statement, participants also focused on operational security planning and on identifying concrete steps to improve electoral security frameworks for future polls.
Facilitating the sharing of observations and on-the-ground experiences was a key element of the agenda, allowing representatives from different agencies to contribute their perspectives on what unfolded during the BARMM Parliamentary Elections. These inputs are intended to feed into refined security protocols going forward.
Bunayog Commends Ground-Level Efforts and Teamwork
In remarks reported in the 6ID statement, Brig. Gen. Bunayog expressed his gratitude to all security personnel, government agencies, local government units, and partner organizations that contributed to keeping communities safe across the electoral period.
“The successful conduct of the elections reflected what agencies can achieve when they work together with a shared commitment to peace, public safety, and the democratic process,” Bunayog was quoted as saying in the official 6ID statement.
The general made particular note of the personnel deployed at the ground level, citing their preparedness, rapid response capabilities, and close coordination with one another as decisive factors in preventing security incidents from undermining the ability of voters to participate freely in the polls. His remarks highlighted the importance of unit-level discipline and operational readiness in high-stakes electoral environments, especially in regions with historically complex security situations.
6ID and JTF Central Reaffirm Apolitical, Professional Commitment
With the post-election phase now underway, the 6th Infantry Division and JTF Central have publicly reaffirmed their dedication to maintaining a stance that is apolitical, professional, and responsive to community needs in the region, the 6ID statement noted.
The division indicated it will continue actively monitoring the security situation across Central and South-Central Mindanao, remain alert to emerging concerns, and apply the lessons gained during the election period to further bolster efforts at protecting communities. This posture is intended to ensure a smooth transition through the post-election period while sustaining the confidence of the public in the armed forces.
The review at Camp Siongco reflects a broader institutional approach within the AFP of treating each major security operation not merely as a discrete event but as a learning opportunity — one whose insights can be institutionalized and used to raise standards over time. The participation of civilian agencies such as OPAPRU and NTF-ELCAC alongside military and police units underscores the whole-of-government character of security efforts in the BARMM.
Why This Matters
The post-election security assessment at Camp Siongco highlights the ongoing importance of coordinated, multi-agency efforts in protecting democratic processes within the BARMM, a region that has long navigated complex peace and security challenges. By conducting a structured review of operations immediately following the parliamentary elections, the AFP, PNP, and partner agencies are working to convert real-world experience into stronger institutional protocols for future electoral events. The reaffirmed commitment of 6ID and JTF Central to a professional and apolitical posture is a key signal of institutional stability during the sensitive post-election transition period in Central and South-Central Mindanao.
Source: 6th Infantry Division, Armed Forces of the Philippines
