A TOTAL of 541 safety and security personnel from the Davao Region will be deployed to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) for the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE).
Of the deployed personnel, 500 are from the Police Regional Office-Davao Region (PRO-Davao), while 41 are from Maritime Units. All will serve as members of the Special Electoral Board (SEB).
A send-off ceremony for the Multi-Agency Security Forces and SEB members was held on the morning of April 30, 2025, at Camp Sgt. Quintin Merecido in Buhangin, Davao City.
PRO-Davao Regional Director PBGen. Leon Victor Z. Rosete emphasized that the security forces are fully prepared to protect the integrity of the democratic process. He highlighted the importance of fair and peaceful elections, stating that the mission of every deployed personnel is to ensure that every voter can cast their ballot free from fear and intimidation.
“PNP personnel meticulously secure polling places, control access, and prevent any unauthorized entry. They will work tirelessly to maintain peace and order, manage crowds, and resolve disputes peacefully,” he said.
Commission on Elections- Davao regional director Atty. Michael C. Abas explained that the deployment is a constitutionally mandated move to protect voters’ rights, especially in areas with a history of conflict and electoral irregularities.
“Ang inyong papel ay hindi lamang para tiyakin ang kaayusan at seguridad, kayo rin po ang magiging katuwang ng komisyon sa pagbibigay ng pantay at malinis na halalan sa bawat Pilipino saan man dako ng bansa (Your role goes beyond ensuring order and security. You are also vital partners of the Commission in delivering fair and clean elections to every Filipino, wherever they may be),” he said.
Abas also revealed that 807 police personnel from PRO-Davao were trained to serve as electoral board members, and 500 of them will be deployed to Barmm. These police officers are expected to step in when teachers are unavailable or when electoral boards cannot be formed.
He cited past instances, such as in Cotabato City, where some electoral board members backed out on election day, underlining the importance of having trained police officers as backups. He clarified that the officers assigned to Barmm are not from the region to avoid conflicts of interest.
Rosete further announced that a total of 12,168 safety and security personnel will be deployed throughout the Davao Region for the 2025 NLE. This includes 1,557 from the 10th Infantry Division, 184 from the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM), 195 from the Bureau of Fire Protection, and 10,232 from PRO-Davao. RGP