Military’s 4ID sends more troops to secure BARMM parliamentary polls

Residents ride past the armored tanks of the military stationed in Marawi City on Saturday for the Sept. 14 BARMM parliamentary elections. (INQUIRER / Cong B. Corrales) MARAWI CITY — Additional soldiers from the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) headed out on a critical peacekeeping mission across parts of Mindanao on Sunday, bolstering security ahead of the Sept. 14 parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Troops from the 29th and 30th Infantry Battalions (IB) were formally sent off during a ceremony at the 4ID Grandstand on Saturday.

Following the send-off, personnel of the 29thIB moved to Barangay Sagunsungan in Marawi City, while the 30IB was deployed to Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

Maj. Gen. Marion Angcao, 4ID commander, briefed the soldiers before their deployment, reminding them to stay strictly non-partisan and to adhere to the law.

“Our troops are prepared to perform their duties with professionalism, impartiality, and respect for the rights of every voter, Angcao said.

He said the division will continue to work closely with the Philippine National Police, Commission on Elections, local government units, and other stakeholders to help ensure peaceful and credible elections.

Angcao noted that the operation underscores the division’s commitment to shielding the democratic process so citizens can vote freely and safely.

The latest deployment builds on earlier troop movements aimed at securing the region before, during, and after the elections.

On July 15, the 4ID dispatched the 75th Infantry Battalion to Hill 150 in Barangay Meta, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao del Sur.

On Sept. 2, the division also deployed the 3rd Special Forces Battalion to the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade headquarters in Barangay Ma. Cristina, Iligan City, accompanied by an armor platoon equipped with four wheeled armored vehicles. /gsg