Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said it is ramping up security preparations for two major events this month and in the coming weeks—the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).PNP Public Information Office chief PCol. Allen Rae Co said more than 20,000 security personnel will be deployed for the President&#x27;s SONA to ensure peace and order during the event. “‘Yung comprehensive security plan ay nakalatag na. Initially, we are deploying 20,000 personnel para po sa SONA. These includes our allied or augmentation of other agencies like the AFP, Coast Guard. Meron pa po tayong ibang kasama dito and of course, kasama na rin po dito ‘yung mga reaction teams,” Co said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/16/sona-2026-preps-expenditures-toned-down-amid-crisis-house-official-1444">SONA 2026 preps, expenditures &#x27;toned down&#x27; amid &#x27;crisis&#x27;—House official</a></div>Meanwhile, the PNP said it is also fully prepared to secure the historic BARMM parliamentary elections scheduled in September.PNP chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the PNP is ready to carry out its election security duties after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. authorized the deputation of the PNP, AFP, and other law enforcement agencies to assist the Commission on Elections (Comelec). “We have long prepared for this historic election in BARMM and the additional manpower and cooperation of our local stakeholders serve as an assurance that we would deliver the end goal of protecting all our kababayan in the region to exercise their right to vote peacefully,” Nartatez said in a statement.The election period officially began on July 16, along with the implementation of the election gun ban, which will remain in effect until September 29. Co reminded the public that only police officers in uniform and other individuals authorized by the Comelec may carry firearms during the election period.‘Yung normal, ‘yung authorized, especially ‘yung ating kapulisan in uniform and authorized by the Comelec to carry firearms during the election period. All other permits to carry are suspended during this period,” Co said. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/5/senate-house-officials-meet-for-sona-2026-preps-1108">Senate, House officials meet for SONA 2026 preps</a></div>To enforce the gun ban, the PNP has established checkpoints across BARMM and intensified intelligence operations in coordination with the AFP and local government units.Authorities have identified several election hotspots in the region and are closely monitoring possible threats from remnants of the Abu Sayyaf Group and splinter factions of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters that could disrupt the elections. Despite these concerns, Nartatez said the PNP has not monitored any security threats since the implementation of the gun ban.&quot;Our police force remains committed to carrying out its mandate to protect the integrity of this democratic process,&quot; he said.The PNP said it will continue coordinating with the AFP, Comelec, and local government units while maintaining a strong checkpoint presence throughout the election period to help ensure peaceful, orderly, and credible BARMM parliamentary elections.<div> </div>

The PNP on Friday said it is ramping up security preparations for two major events this month and in the coming weeks—the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the first parliamentary elections in BARMM.

The PNP on Friday said it is ramping up security preparations for two major events this month and in the coming weeks—the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the first parliamentary elections in BARMM.

PNP to deploy over 20,000 personnel for SONA; steps up security for BARMM polls

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PNP to deploy over 20,000 personnel for SONA; steps up security for BARMM polls

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 17, 2026 07:32 PM PHT

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PNP

Security

SONA

BARMM

polls

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