Cotabato teachers back out of election duties

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The teachers cite safety concerns as reason for their decision not to serve during the May 12 elections

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – A group of public school teachers in Cotabato City has withdrawn from serving as election workers in the upcoming May 12 polls, prompting authorities to assign police personnel to replace them

Dindo Maglasang, the city election supervisor, said on Monday, May 5, that at least 10 teachers pulled out of their Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) roles, citing safety concerns in what they described as “dangerous” assignments.

In response, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel would fill the vacancies in the special election boards. 

Maglasang has appealed to other public school teachers not to withdraw at the last minute.

“We appeal to teachers not to back out abruptly on election day,” he said, recalling that a similar situation occurred in the 2022 elections, when teachers withdrew on polling day due to security risks. Police officers served as their replacements.

To prepare for possible shortfalls in personnel, 102 police officers from Region XII have arrived in the Bangsamoro region to serve as BEIs in areas where teachers opt out of election duties.

On Monday afternoon, election officials, poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), police, and Marines verified 159 boxes of official ballots at the Cotabato City Treasurer’s Office. The ballots will be used in 37 voting precincts across the city’s 33 voting centers, which will cater to around 135,000 registered voters.

The final testing and sealing of the Automated Counting Machines and ballots is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6.

In nearby Carmen, Cotabato province, the Army’s 602nd Brigade deployed troops who will help secure the May 12 elections in parts of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the province categorized as high-risk areas,

“Our mission is not only to guard, but to ensure that the right of every Filipino to vote is exercised freely and without fear,” said Brigadier General Ricky Bunayog, commander of the 602nd Brigade. – Rappler.com