In preparation for the upcoming May 2025 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Comelec-BARMM) has identified 103 towns within the region as ‘areas of concern’. This announcement was made by Comelec-BARMM Director Ray Sumalipao during a coordination meeting with election officials, police, and military personnel in Cotabato City on February 5, 2025.
The towns are categorized into three levels of concern: 32 towns fall into the red category, indicating serious armed threats and a history of election-related violence; 49 towns are in the yellow category, marked by past election-related incidents; and 22 towns are in the orange category, facing serious armed threats. Sumalipao mentioned that these classifications could change based on ongoing assessments and the effectiveness of peace and security initiatives.
Out of the 126 localities in BARMM, 21 towns are still considered safe, falling into the green category. The region includes three component cities: Cotabato, Marawi, and Lamitan. The majority of the red-category towns are located in the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Lanao del Sur.
Efforts to ensure a peaceful election process are underway, with the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division having organized five political candidates’ forums in Maguindanao. These forums have resulted in participants signing peace covenants, a move praised by Sumalipao as a significant step towards peaceful elections in Maguindanao and the broader BARMM region.
Additionally, Comelec-BARMM is collaborating with the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) to train police officers to serve on electoral boards, a contingency plan in case teachers, who typically serve in these roles, are unable to participate due to threats or health issues.