Fearful Basilan Teachers Refuse to Serve in Oct. 25 Elections

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Philippines - Close to 100 public elementary school teachers in several risky areas of Basilan have expressed their refusal to serve as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) in the Oct. 25 elections for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials, it was learned here recently.

Kadlayan Elementary School teacher Muwid Tulawie of Tuburan town, speaking on behalf of his co-teachers, said “We will not report to our assigned precincts on Oct. 25 as doing so will endanger again our lives.”

The Tuburan grade school mentor said, “Some local politicians will take revenge on us if they lose in the election.”

Even adjacent Akbar town mayor Paisal Sali bolstered the Tuburan teacher’s observation, saying that during the last local elections, six elementary school buildings in his municipality were burned by unidentified heavily armed men believed to be from his rival’s camp.

Another mentor from Akbar reported that some unscrupulous politicians will again force them to perform election irregularities like cheating or allowing flying voters to enter their precincts.

Provincial Commission on Election Supervisor Roberto de la Pena said the concerned teachers also cited the recent gun-slaying of Tuburan municipal Comelec officer Entong Musa, adding that this shows how dangerous their election work is as members of a precinct BEI.

Education Secretary Bro. Armin A. Luistro, who recently visited Zamboanga as guest of honor during the city’s celebration of the Feast of La Virgin del Pilar, suggested that Basilan Comelec officials should immediately identify election areas of concern in the island province and initiate appropriate security measures for local teachers.