February 15, 2019 Comelec: No direct threat on teachers

There is nothing to fear. Cebu provincial election supervisor Jerome Brillantes made the assurance to San Fernando teachers who have had second thoughts about serving in the May 13 elections due to the spate of killings in the town.

At least 20 teachers there earlier expressed their hesitation in serving as members of the electoral board.

While Brillantes, a lawyer, acknowledged their sentiments, he also said there is no direct threat against teachers there at the moment that may cause for alarm.

He said there are no reports about teachers being intimidated by candidates or their supporters.

Brillantes said there is no need for teachers to worry or panic because measures are in place to ensure that the polling places will be safe and secured.

He also said teachers were assured already that security forces will be deployed to monitor and oversee the voting centers and polling precincts during the electoral exercise there in May.

On Saturday, the teachers in San Fernando met with officials from the police, Comelec, and the Department of Education, asking for heightened security action during the polls.

Brillantes admitted a few teachers manifested that they are uninterested in serving in the elections.

Cebu schools division superintendent Dr. Rhea Mar Angtud earlier said she could not blame the teachers for feeling that way.

She said the two district supervisors of San Fernando are now working closely with the Comelec to address the problem.

Angtud said the district supervisors represent the DepEd in the election task force. The district supervisors and the Comelec officer are scheduled to meet on Saturday to finalize the list of teachers who will serve as members of the electoral board.

Brillantes, nevertheless, said he is still optimistic that majority of the public teachers there will signify willingness to serve. In lieu of public teachers, Comelec and DepEd local officers are planning to hire teachers from the private schools or institutions.

Today is the last day for the officers to finalize the listing of San Fernando teachers or volunteers who are keen to serve in the elections.

According to the Election Service Reform Act, teachers are not compelled to serve during elections. Volunteers are welcome, though.

The police and military earlier included San Fernando in the list of election hotspots in Central Visayas. In fact, the town, along with Tuburan in midwest Cebu, was placed under the red category, due to the presence of political rivalry, threats of armed groups, and history of election-related violence there.

At least three officials in San Fernando town, including Mayor Lakambini Reluya’s husband, then Association of Barangay Councils president Ricardo Reluya Jr., had been killed by yet-to-be-identified perpetrators over the past few months.

The Reluyas were on board a van with their bodyguards and other town officials when the vehicle was sprayed with bullets along N. Bacalso Avenue in Talisay City last January 22. Two others were killed in the process.

Brillantes said that so far, no issue or concern has been raised in Tuburan.