Army chief urges troops to stay independent in May 2025 polls

Lt. Gen. Roy Galido during his message to the troops at Camp Siongco, Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Sur during the change of command on Saturday, 25 January 2025, where he emphasized the need for the military to stay away from “external influences.” MindaNews photo by FERDINANDH CABRERA

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte (MindaNews / 27 January) –  Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Philippine Army commanding general, has called on the troops to stay independent in the coming elections, especially those assigned in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

BARMM is scheduled to hold its first parliamentary elections on May 12, simultaneous with the midterm national and local polls. However, there are moves in Congress to postpone the Bangsamoro regional elections, which Malacañang is still studying.

Galido issued the pronouncement with the big task that the military will perform, along with their police counterparts, in making the elections peaceful and credible in Mindanao.

The Commission on Elections has been in close coordination with the state’s security sector to ensure a clean, orderly and credible May 12, 2025 elections.

Galido emphasized the need to “resist external influences,” apparently to shield the military from undue political pressure, particularly during the election period.

He strongly called on the Army to remain neutral and independent in the coming elections during the change of command at the 6^th Infantry “Kampilan” Division (6ID) last Saturday, January 25.

Galido underscored the importance of 6ID’s role in maintaining peace and security in the Bangsamoro region, reiterating the need to be independent from political influences.

BARMM is among the areas of security concern for the Comelec in the entire country due to the layer of complexities, with concerns including potential violence and irregularities during the elections.

Brig. Gen. Donald Gumiran replaced Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete as 6ID chief. Nafarrete was promoted to lead the Western Mindanao Command.  

Galido was the guest of honor during the change of command.

Galido, Nafarrete and Gumiran have long exposures of assignments in the BARMM and Mindanao .

They employed a collaborative approach to peace and development with the different sectors of society, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front.

Gumiran pledged to uphold the “highest standards of professionalism and integrity,” particularly in securing the elections in the BARMM, whose seat of power is in Cotabato City.

“I am committed to supporting peace and development initiatives in the region,” he said. (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews)