DAVAO CITY (January 21)— The Commission on Elections (Comelec) deployed 60 Policemen trained to perform as election officers to replace the teachers who refused to serve in their assigned voting centers for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, due to alleged threats on their lives.
Aside from the refusal of teachers, the disenfranchisement of voters is also affecting the plebiscite, although it has been a perennial problem.
Lawyer Ernie Palanan, Maguindanao election supervisor, told reporters that the teachers have earlier received threats via text messages, a reason they refused to serve.
Palanan who also act as election supervisor in Cotabato area revealed “The teachers backed out from serving the plebiscite due to fear.”
The police officers were deployed in barangays Rosary Heights 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10, all in Cotabato city.
Panalan said, the Comelec-Maguindanao, coordinated with the Department of Education-Cotabato City, to replace policemen for the referendum to push through.
No untoward incident has been reported so far.-NewsLineph
