COTABATO CITY— The Department of Education (DepEd) denounced on Monday the ‘sudden disappearance’ of a teacher in Polomolok town in South Cotabato on December 2.
“We condemn and denounce the sudden disappearance of one of our teachers who was allegedly taken away by unidentified persons on December 2, 2020 in the Municipality of Polomolok, South Cotabato,” said Ruth Estacio, officer-in-charge in the office of the Schools Division Superintendent in South Cotabato.
Mohamir Malo Adam, a Mathematics teacher in Poblacion Polomolok National High School in downtown Polomolok has been missing since Dec. 2.
Rudy Lumapinet, a cousin of the victim, said Adam, a resident of downtown Polomolok, reported to their school early on Dec. 2. He left the school past 2 p.m. to go home but he has not been seen since then.
“It is our consistent stand that violence has no place in this civilized society, especially against those in the teaching profession who are courageously ensuring access to, promoting equity, and improving the quality the quality of basic education,” Estacio said.
Estacio urged law enforcement agencies ‘to exert extra efforts to find the whereabouts of the missing teacher and to give full protection to our fellow educators to allow them to perform their duty without fearing for their lives.’
“Students and community will be deprived of a chance to a better future if no teachers would want to be deployed in their area because of security issues,” Estacio said.
Estacio assured the family of the victim that her office is close coordination with the proper agencies in their efforts to solve the case as soon as possible. “Let us remain calm and vigilant and pray for justice and collectively act against this senseless cowardice,” Estacio said.
Haidhana, the victim’s wife who is also a teacher in the Poblacion Polomolok National High School calls on concerned authorities to ‘please save and rescue’ her husband. – Taher G. Solaiman, NewsLine
