The number of areas classified under the Red category for the September 14, 2026 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections has decreased from 27 to 26, signaling a slight improvement in the region’s security situation, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.
Speaking at a press conference in Davao City on Tuesday, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the updated Election Areas of Concern (EAC) classification, covering the period from July 13 to 29, shows that most Red category areas remain in Lanao del Sur.
The latest list includes 21 areas 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).
Garcia was in the city to attend the 2nd Bangsamoro Parliament Training of Trainers on the Bangsamoro Electoral Code at the Aria Hotel.
He welcomed the reduction in the number of Red category areas and said the poll body will conduct another assessment next week.
“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.
Under the updated classification, Datu Piang in Maguindanao del Sur moved from Orange to Red, while Pandag and Shariff Saydona Mustapha improved from Red to Yellow.
Other municipalities that recorded better security assessments were Sultan Kudarat and Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao del Norte, as well as Paglat, Rajah Buayan, and Sultan sa Barongis in Maguindanao del Sur, all of which shifted from Orange to Yellow.
Garcia explained that a Red category designation should not be interpreted as a “red alert” status but rather as an indication that additional security preparations are necessary due to the potential for election-related violence, particularly in areas affected by 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,” he said.
He added that while Green category areas are considered generally peaceful, they may still be reclassified if incidents of election-related violence arise.
To help prevent additional areas from becoming election hotspots, Garcia said Comelec is strengthening coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and local government units (LGUs).
He said intensified AFP-PNP patrols, proper deployment of security personnel, and cooperation from local officials are among the measures being implemented to ensure peaceful elections.
“Coordination lang. Talagang proper coordination with the Comelec and other security forces and LGUs,” Garcia said.
Garcia said Comelec will release another EAC assessment next week, while its final command conference and stakeholders’ briefing are scheduled in BARMM during the third week of August as part of preparations for the region’s first parliamentary elections.
