MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved the Commission on Election’s (Comelec) request to deputize the military and the police and other law enforcement agencies for the April 13, 2024 plebiscites to ratify the creation of several municipalities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

President Marcos issued Memorandum Order No. 23 concurring with the Comelec Resolution No. 10980 seeking police and military assistance for the plebiscites to ratify the creation of municipalities of Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Kapalawan, Malidegao, Tugunan, and Ligawasan 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,” said the April 8 order signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

BARMM’s Parliament enacted last August 17, 2023 the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) Nos. 41 to 48 (s. 2023), creating the municipalities of Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Kapalawan, Malidegao, Tugunan, and Ligawasan in BARMM respectively.

On Sept. 4, 2023, the Chief Minister of BARMM approved BAA Nos. 41 to 48.

In line with this, the Comelec En Banc, through Resolution No. 10980, requested last February 28 presidential concurrence in the deputation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (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, such as the AFP and PNP, to ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections, subject to presidential concurrence. (PND)