DepEd moves to ensure safety of teachers during polls

MANILA, Philippines - Education officials are coordinating with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the police to ensure the safety of teachers who will serve as election inspectors following the bombing of six schools in Maguindanao to be used as polling precincts.

The Department of Education will not compromise the safety of teachers to perform election duties, Education Secretary Armin Luistro told The STAR  in a text message.

“Final decision on the conduct of elections will come from Comelec,” he said. “Guidelines are in place for areas that will be placed under Comelec control.”

Six school buildings to serve as polling precincts were reportedly firebombed with grenades and anti-tank rockets in Maguindanao on Wednesday.

Damaged in the attacks were classrooms at the Tapayan Central School, Dagurungan Elementary School, Tuka Elementary School, Darping Elementary School, Tareken Primary School and Simuay Seashore Elementary School.

Comelec said voters in the affected schools may have to vote in different precincts, although no final recommendation has been made as officials are still assessing the incidents.

President Aquino recently signed a law making election service non-compulsory for public school teachers.

However, Republic Act 10756, the Election Service Reform law, will not be implemented in the upcoming polls as its implementing rules and regulations have yet to be released.

It allows the appointment of other citizens in the election boards should there be a lack of public school teachers willing, available or qualified to serve.

These include private school teachers, national government employees except uniformed personnel of the defense department, members of accredited citizen arms or civil society organizations accredited by Comelec and registered voters of known competence who are not connected with any candidate or party.

Uniformed police officers may also be deputized as a last resort in areas where the peace and order situation so requires and where there are no qualified voters willing to render election services.