The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported a slight improvement in the security situation ahead of the September 14, 2026 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections, with the number of areas under the Red category dropping from 27 to 26.
Speaking during a press conference in Davao City on Tuesday, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said most of the Red category areas remain in Lanao del Sur, while several municipalities in Maguindanao also continue to be closely monitored.
Garcia was in Davao City for the 2nd Bangsamoro Parliament Training of Trainers on the Bangsamoro Electoral Code held at the Aria Hotel.
Garcia said the latest classification, based on data gathered from July 13 to 29, identified 26 Red category areas across BARMM, including 21 in Lanao del Sur, one in Basilan, one in Maguindanao del Norte, two in Maguindanao del Sur, and one in the Special Geographic Area (SGA).
“So, nag-improve ito dahil nung nakaraan 27 ito. So, naging 26 na lamang ang under Red category. Next week meron ulit tayong panibagong categorization, panibagong adjustment dito. Pero nakakatuwa naman na sa halip na tumaas, bumababa ’yung nasa Red category,” Garcia said.
Among the changes in the latest Election Areas of Concern (EAC) classification, Datu Piang in Maguindanao del Sur was upgraded from Orange to Red, while Pandag and Shariff Saydona Mustapha improved from Red to Yellow.
Sultan Kudarat and Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao del Norte, along with Paglat, Rajah Buayan, and Sultan sa Barongis in Maguindanao del Sur, also improved from Orange to Yellow.
Garcia clarified that being placed under the Red category does not automatically mean an area is on “red alert” but indicates the need for heightened preparedness because of the risk of election-related violence, including clan feuds, or “rido.”
“Hindi naman namin sinasabi na high alert, or red alert. Hindi. Kung kinakailangan magdagdag ng pwersa, naka-pre-position ’yung pwersa dahil may posibilidad na baka pwedeng magkaroon ng katulad ng nangyari before na violence dahil nga may rido… may mga naka-pre-position kami na anytime… makakatakbo kaagad at makakapagbigay ng support,” Garcia said.
He noted that Green category areas remain generally peaceful but warned that any locality could still be reclassified if election-related violence occurs.
To prevent more areas from being classified as election hotspots, Garcia said Comelec will strengthen coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and local government units (LGUs).
He said joint AFP-PNP security patrols, the proper deployment of security forces, and the responsible conduct of local officials are among the key measures to maintain peace.
“Coordination lang. Talagang proper coordination with the Comelec and other security forces and LGUs,” Garcia said.
The Comelec chairman added that another assessment of the EAC will be released next week, while the agency’s final command conference and stakeholders’ briefing are scheduled for the third week of August in BARMM as part of preparations for the parliamentary polls.
