30 teachers withdraw from poll duties in BARMM; police to step in

INQUIRER FILES

COTABATO CITY — More than 30 public school teachers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have withdrawn from their election duties just six days before the national and local polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.

BARMM Election Director Ray Sumalipao said the teachers voluntarily backed out.

“Some decided to withdraw because of petitions from certain candidates citing their alleged relationship with other aspirants,” Sumalipao told reporters.

“In their place, we have Philippine National Police personnel who have been trained to take on these roles. In fact, they already conducted the final testing and sealing of election paraphernalia,” he added.

In Tubaran, Lanao del Sur, only 18 teachers will serve as electoral board members, Sumalipao said, though he did not specify the total number originally assigned.

As in other areas, he said, police officers are ready to assume the posts vacated by the teachers.

READ: MILF, BARMM leaders vow peaceful election participation