With the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) just weeks away, Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. visited the 103rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army on September 19, 2025, to highlight the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) critical role in ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Secretary Teodoro was joined by top military officials, including AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. and Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete. The delegation received a comprehensive security briefing from Maj. Gen. Yegor Rey P. Barroquillo Jr., Commander of the 1st Infantry Division (1ID), as part of ongoing preparations for the landmark elections.

“The AFP’s presence is essential to safeguarding the integrity and security of the Bangsamoro elections,” Teodoro said, reaffirming the Department of National Defense’s full support for the military’s efforts. He emphasized that the government is committed to upholding peace and order while protecting the democratic rights of the region’s citizens.

Addressing troops from the Tabak Division, including the Hijab Troopers, Teodoro also reiterated the Marcos Administration’s dedication to the full rehabilitation of Marawi City. He stressed that peace and development in BARMM are central to the national agenda of unity and inclusive progress.

The visit comes as part of a broader security and recovery initiative in Mindanao, with the AFP playing a pivotal role in both electoral readiness and long-term regional stability.