TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine National Police isn't taking any chances with the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

On Thursday, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) deployed more than 300 police personnel to identified potential election hotspot areas in Eastern Visayas. The deployment was part of the Regional Task Force “Kamurayaw,” which means peace in the local dialect.

Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, PRO-8 regional director, led the send-off ceremony at the PRO-8 Grandstand. He said the PNP is committed to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.

The BSKE is scheduled for December 2026, but authorities are already moving early to prevent violence and election-related incidents. Eastern Visayas has a history of election-related conflicts, especially in remote barangays where political rivalries run deep.

The task force will focus on areas that the PNP has classified as "areas of concern" — places with a history of intense political rivalry, presence of armed groups, or previous election-related violence. These hotspots include parts of Leyte, Samar, and Biliran.

PRO-8 hasn't released the exact list of hotspot barangays, but police intelligence units have been monitoring the situation for months. The deployment includes personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion, intelligence units, and local police stations.

Capoy assured the public that the police will remain impartial and professional. He also reminded candidates to follow election laws and avoid violence.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) hasn't yet set the official campaign period, but the PNP is already coordinating with the poll body to ensure security preparations are on track.

For residents of Eastern Visayas, the early deployment brings both relief and concern. Many remember past elections where violence erupted despite police presence. In 2018, at least 10 people were killed in election-related incidents in the region during the barangay elections.

The PNP hopes that with more boots on the ground and better intelligence, this year's BSKE will be different.

What is the BSKE?

The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections are local polls held every three years in the Philippines. They elect barangay captains, barangay councilors, and youth representatives (SK chairpersons and councilors). Barangays are the smallest administrative units in the country, and these elections are often fiercely contested because they determine control over local resources and influence.

The 2026 BSKE was originally scheduled for December 2025 but was moved to December 2026 after Congress passed a law postponing it. The postponement was meant to align the elections with the national elections schedule, but it also meant longer terms for incumbent officials.

For the PNP, the extended timeline means more time to prepare — but also more months of potential tension in hotspot areas.