Marcos taps PNP, AFP to secure BARMM plebiscite

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) request to deputize the military and the police and other law enforcement agencies for the plebiscite in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on April 13.

The President, through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, issued on April 8 Memorandum Order 23 concurring with the Comelec Resolution 10980 seeking the assistance of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the plebiscites to ratify the creation of eight municipalities in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) in BARMM.

"The foregoing law enforcement agencies and other concerned agencies are hereby directed to coordinate and cooperate with the Comelec in the performance of their duties and functions, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations," Marcos said in his order.

The conduct of the plebiscite is under the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) 41 to 48, for the creation of the municipalities of Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Tugunan, Ligawasan, Malidegao, Old Kabakan, and Kapalawan, all in the province of North Cotabato.

The Comelec en banc, through Resolution 10980, requested last February 28 the deputation of the AFP, PNP, and other law enforcement agencies for the plebiscites.

The Constitution empowers the poll body to deputize law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the government, to ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections, subject to presidential concurrence.

A total of 89,594 registered voters in the SGA are expected to cast their votes in 67 voting hubs. Voting hours will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m..

Under the BAA, Pahamuddin shall be composed of Barangay Balacayon, Buricain, Datu Binasing, Datu Mantil, Kadingilan, Lower Pangangkalan, Libungan Torreta, Matilac, Patot, Upper Pangangkalan, Lower Baquer, and Simsiman from the municipality of Pigcawayan.

Kadayangan shall be composed of Barangays Central Labas, Kapinpilan, Malingao, Mudseng, Sambulawan, Tugal, and Tumbras from the municipality of Midsayap.

Nabalawag shall be composed of Barangay Damatulan, Kadigasan, Kadingilan, Kudarangan, Nabalawag, Olandang from the municipality of Midsayap, and Dungguan from the municipality of Aleosan.

Old Kabakan shall be composed of Barangay Buluan, Nangaan, Sanggadong, Simbuhay, Simone, Pedtad, and Tamped from the municipality of Kabacan.

Kapalawan shall be composed of Barangays Kibayao, Kitulaan, Langogan, Manarapan, Nasapian, Pebpoloan, Tupig from the municipality of Carmen.

Malidegao shall be composed of Barangays Balungis, Batulawan, Fort Pikit, Gokotan, Nabundas, Nalapaan, Nunguan from the municipality of Pikit.

Tugunan shall be composed of Barangays Balong, Bualan, Lagunde, Macabual, Macasendeg, Manaulanan, Pamalian, Panicupan from the municipality of Pikit, and Tapodoc from the municipality of Aleosan.

Ligawasan shall be composed of Barangays Bagoinged, Barungis, Bulol, Buliok, Gli-Gli, Kabasalan, and Rajamuda from the municipality of Pikit.

The BARMM parliament approved the creation of the towns in August last year.

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