With less than two weeks to go before the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao holds its Parliamentary Elections, key security and civilian agencies locked in their final joint preparations at a high-level conference in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur — reaffirming a shared commitment to a peaceful, credible, and orderly vote.
The final Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) Coordinating Conference was held on September 5, 2026, at the Kalilintad Hall of the Provincial Capitol in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur. The gathering brought together representatives from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division (6ID), the Philippine National Police (PNP), Army Brigade and Battalion Commanders, municipal Election Officers from across Maguindanao del Sur, and other key government stakeholders, according to a statement from Camp Siongco.
The conference was spearheaded by COMELEC Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Election Director Atty. Allan C. Kadon, who led discussions aimed at sharpening interagency coordination, clarifying agency roles and responsibilities, and synchronizing security protocols in preparation for the September 14, 2026 BARMM Parliamentary Elections, Camp Siongco’s statement said.
6ID Commander Sets the Tone: Nonpartisanship and Discipline
Delivering the keynote message at the conference, Brigadier General Ricky P. Bunayog, Acting Commander of both the 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central (JTFC), laid out the foundational principle guiding the military’s role in the upcoming elections: protection without interference.
“As security partners and a nonpartisan organization, our role is not to determine the outcome of the election. Our role is to protect the environment in which people can make their choice,” Brig. Gen. Bunayog said, as quoted in the Camp Siongco statement.
Brig. Gen. Bunayog underscored that all military and security personnel under the 6ID and JTFC would operate strictly within their legal mandates, deferring to the authority of COMELEC, the PNP, local government units, and other legitimate stakeholders. He called for strict professionalism, impartiality, and discipline among the security forces deployed in the region during the electoral period.
The general’s message was unambiguous: the armed forces are present to serve the democratic process, not to shape its result. This framing, according to the Camp Siongco statement, is central to the 6ID’s approach to election security across its area of responsibility.
Public Confidence Seen as Cornerstone of Electoral Integrity
Beyond logistics and troop deployment, Brig. Gen. Bunayog pointed to public trust as an indispensable ingredient in any credible election. He urged all participating agencies to maintain continuous and meaningful interagency coordination, prioritize the timely sharing of accurate information among stakeholders, and take collective action against misinformation that could undermine confidence in the process.
The 6ID commander appealed directly for unity among all parties involved, describing a peaceful and credible BARMM election not merely as an operational goal, but as a meaningful contribution to public confidence, institutional stability, and durable peace across the Bangsamoro region. The Camp Siongco statement noted that this appeal was directed at both security forces and civilian election stakeholders present at the conference.
Officials present were reminded that the legitimacy of election outcomes depends heavily on how the process is perceived — and that security forces play a major role in shaping that perception through their conduct before, during, and after polling day.
Broad Participation Signals Whole-of-Government Approach
The breadth of participation at the Buluan conference reflected the scale and complexity of securing a regional parliamentary election in an area with historically sensitive security dynamics. Election Officers representing municipalities across Maguindanao del Sur attended alongside military commanders and PNP counterparts, underscoring that electoral security in the BARMM is treated as a shared civilian-military responsibility rather than a purely military concern, the Camp Siongco statement indicated.
COMELEC’s leadership of the conference through Atty. Kadon also signals the primacy of civilian electoral authority over the process — with the military and police serving in a supporting role. This arrangement is consistent with the constitutional framework governing elections in the Philippines, where COMELEC retains full authority over the conduct and administration of the vote.
The PJSCC mechanism itself is designed to serve as a nerve center for real-time coordination during the election period, allowing agencies to respond swiftly to emerging security incidents or challenges without duplication of effort or gaps in coverage.
By the Numbers
- September 5, 2026 — Date the final PJSCC Coordinating Conference was held in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur
- September 14, 2026 — Scheduled date of the BARMM Parliamentary Elections
- 1 provincial venue — Kalilintad Hall, Provincial Capitol, Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur served as the conference site
Why This Matters
The BARMM Parliamentary Elections are a foundational democratic exercise for the Bangsamoro people, and the success of the vote depends significantly on the security environment surrounding it. The 6ID and JTFC’s explicit, public commitment to nonpartisanship and adherence to legal mandates — as articulated by Brig. Gen. Bunayog and documented in the Camp Siongco statement — is a direct measure intended to build voter confidence and institutional credibility ahead of September 14. A well-coordinated, peaceful electoral process, as emphasized throughout the PJSCC conference, is regarded as essential groundwork for long-term stability and governance in the Bangsamoro region.
Source: Camp Siongco Public Affairs Office / 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army
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