COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Hundreds of soldiers, police officers, emergency responders and Bangsamoro government personnel took part in a major multi-agency security exercise in Cotabato City and nearby Maguindanao del Norte on August 20, testing how authorities would respond to a serious security and emergency situation.
The day-long exercise brought together the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard, Navy personnel, fire responders and several agencies of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The drills were conducted in coastal Barangay Kalanganan 2 in Cotabato City and in the territorial waters off the coastal municipality of Parang, Maguindanao del Norte. The scenario included the movement of residents from a simulated troubled coastal area to an evacuation site, allowing participating agencies to test coordination between security, disaster-response and civilian authorities.
A rehearsal for the kind of crisis authorities want to prevent
Army Brig. Gen. Ricky Bunayog, acting commander of the 6th Infantry Division, stressed that communities and government agencies cannot afford to wait for a real emergency before learning how to respond.
He said the exercise was designed to strengthen preparedness among government institutions and residents and demonstrate how different agencies can work together during a crisis.
The exercise involved the Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence, the Office of Civil Defense-BARMM, BARMM health and social-service ministries and local governments, alongside military and police units.
The BARMM regional police command, led by Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia, the Bureau of Fire Protection-BARMM, Philippine Coast Guard and Navy personnel also participated.
Local officials said they want similar exercises repeated every two or three years, arguing that regular drills could help communities become more familiar with evacuation procedures and emergency coordination.
Maguindanao del Norte Vice Gov. Marshall Sinsuat said he would seek a similar exercise for the coastal municipality of Datu Blah Sinsuat.
Why the timing is significant
The exercise comes less than a month before BARMM’s first parliamentary elections, scheduled for September 14, 2026.
Security preparations for the landmark vote have been intensifying for months. The Commission on Elections, police and military previously expanded their regional security planning, with authorities coordinating measures intended to protect polling locations and maintain peace during the electoral process.
The Philippine Army has also deployed the 28th Infantry Battalion to assist with security preparations for the upcoming BARMM parliamentary elections, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Meanwhile, MindaNews reported that the Presidential Task Force on Media Security plans to establish media monitoring centers in Cotabato City and Marawi to help protect journalists covering the September elections.
Security concerns add urgency
The heightened preparations come against a backdrop of recent security incidents in the region.
On August 15, BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua and members of his convoy survived an ambush in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. MindaNews reported that gunfire struck three vehicles in the convoy, although Macacua and his security personnel escaped unharmed.
The incident drew condemnation from government and security officials and underscored the security challenges facing the Bangsamoro region as political activity intensifies ahead of the September polls.
The recent exercise, however, should not be interpreted as evidence that a specific attack was imminent. Officials described it as a preparedness and coordination activity intended to ensure that authorities and communities know how to react if a major security or disaster emergency occurs.
More than a military drill
What makes the exercise notable is its broad civilian component.
Rather than relying solely on soldiers and police, the scenario required multiple agencies to coordinate evacuation, emergency response, public safety and assistance to affected residents.
That approach reflects the increasingly complex security environment authorities are preparing for in BARMM, where election security, disaster response and community protection can overlap.
For residents of Cotabato City and surrounding coastal communities, the message from officials was straightforward: preparedness cannot begin after an emergency happens.
And with the first-ever BARMM parliamentary elections approaching, authorities are making it clear that they intend to test their response before, rather than during, the next crisis.
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