Manila, July 16 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has concurred with the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) request to deputize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies to help secure the first regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Sept. 14.

Under Memorandum Order No. 48 signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on July 1, the President approved the Comelec's deputation of government law enforcement agencies to ensure the orderly conduct of the historic polls.

The order was issued pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 11222 dated May 6, which sought the President's concurrence as required under the law.

The...