MORE than 10 public school teachers in San Fernando, Cebu refused to serve in the midterm elections, saying the killing of local officials made them fear for their safety.
Election Officer Renante Angcos said the teachers told him that they will not render poll duties on May 13, prompting him to ask the private schools for volunteers.
The public school teachers, he said, refused to be part of the Electoral Board (EB) because they do not want to be caught in the political tension in the town.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the town needs 177 teachers to serve in the elections.
Provincial Division Schools Superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud said she cannot allay the fears of the teachers, saying these are their personal feelings and they are not obliged to join the EB.
“They are called volunteers because they are not forced to serve... It should be their decision. It should come from them if they would like to serve,” Angtud said.
On the third week of December last year, Angcos received a list of teachers who were interested to serve in the elections.
Angcos called for a coordination meeting with Comelec-Cebu, San Fernando local officials, the police and teachers on Saturday, Feb. 9.
The teachers were encouraged to serve in the elections but more than 10 teachers were firm in their decision not to render poll duties even if Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Manuel Abrugena assured their security.
Abrugena told them that CPPO will deploy more personnel in San Fernando and Tuburan.
The two municipalities in Cebu, and seven other towns in Negros Oriental reportedly have politicians who are backed by rebels and armed groups.
These towns were placed under the red category because of their history of election-related violence and the presence of armed and rebel groups.
Abrugena had ordered his personnel to intensify their operations against armed groups and loose firearms.
The police official admitted that they have sighted armed groups that might be financed by politicians.
Angcos gave the teachers until Friday, Feb. 15, to finalize their decision. He said EB members should be available and willing to serve in the elections.
Angcos said private school teachers expressed their willingness to render poll duties but he prefers public school teachers because of their experience in past elections.
“We won’t have to worry about problems with the facilities such as lighting fixtures in the school or finding the key. If there is a problem, they would know who to call for help. That’s the advantage if the public school teachers are the ones assigned in their town,” he said.
In a related development, Angcos said he has no problem with San Fernando being placed under the red category.
“I see it as a positive move in so far as our office is concerned. Why? Because it can help us. (There will be) more augmentation (from the police). More focus will be given by the PNP (Philippine National Police), Army and other stakeholders in San Fernando,” Angcos said.
Incumbent San Fernando Mayor Lakambini Reluya is seeking a fresh term opposite businessman Ruben Feliciano, who accused her of being involved in drug trafficking and criticized her for blocking his international port project in the town.
Last Jan. 22, Reluya and her companions were ambushed in Barangay Linao, Talisay City. Reluya and her two guards survived the incident. Her husband, Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president Ricardo “Nonoy” Reluya Jr., and two of her staff members were killed.
Magsico Barangay Captain and ABC vice president Johnny Arriesgado was ambushed while he was driving his multicab last Jan. 16.
Riding-in-tandem assailants also shot dead Municipal Councilor Rene Boy Dacalos while he was sitting inside his store last Jan. 10.
The Special Investigation Task Group has identified the suspects in the ambush of the Reluyas but the murders of Arriesgado and Dacalos remain unsolved.
Although Tuburan and San Fernando have been tagged as critical by the Centcom, the matter is still subject for confirmation.
Acting Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor Jerome Brillantes said they will still have to reassess the matter with the Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Council (PJSCC).
“Granting it is true, then we will augment the AFP and PNP personnel in that particular place in order to maintain peace and order,” he said.
The poll body leads the PJSCC along with the AFP and PNP.
“The only implication is that security will be tight. We will be proactive to prevent opportunists who might use the name of leftist groups for their own benefit or advantage,” Brillantes said. (From AZLG, AYB of SuperBalita Cebu, RTF, Jolisa Mae Taboada, USJ-R Intern, KAL)