CAMP COL ROMEO A ABENDA, Zamboanga City, Philippines — With a firm commitment to safeguarding the democratic process, Police Brigadier General Elmer E Ragay, Regional Director, Police Regional Office (PRO) 9, led the send-off ceremony on September 7, 2026, for 821 police personnel deployed to support the upcoming Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Election.

The Send-Off Ceremony was held at the PRO 9 Quadrangle, Camp Col. Romeo A. Abendan, Mercedes, Zamboanga City, and was attended by Atty. Wilfred Jay E. Balisado, Regional Election Director of Commission on Elections IX, duly represented by Stephen Roy Cañete, First District Election Officer, together with the Command Group, Regional Staff, and other PRO 9 personnel.

The deployment consists of security forces and Special Electoral Boards. The security augmentation will be strategically distributed across key areas, particularly Basilan and Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte, and Tawi-Tawi.

To ensure effective command, coordination, and supervision on the ground, PRO 9 will also deploy a team of Area Supervisors who will oversee the implementation of security measures, monitor personnel deployment, and facilitate immediate coordination and response to emerging concerns within their respective areas of responsibility.

PRO 9 will also intensify focused crime prevention and police visibility, particularly in areas experiencing rising focus crimes, while strengthening intelligence-driven operations against theft, physical injury, robbery, and carnapping.

PBGen Ragay emphasized that election security is a responsibility that cannot be carried by the police alone.

“PRO 9 stands ready, prepared, and fully equipped to secure the BARMM Parliamentary Election. Our forces are strategically positioned, trained, and committed to ensuring a peaceful, orderly, and credible electoral process. We are ready to respond, ready to protect, and ready to serve,” PBGen Ragay said.

PRO 9 to remain professional, impartial, and responsive in carrying out its mandate, ensuring that all security measures are implemented in close coordination with COMELEC and other stakeholders.

PRO 9 remains steadfast in its commitment to secure the BARMM Parliamentary Election and uphold public trust through service that is Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman. (PIO, PRO9)