By Lerio Bompat, ABS-CBN News Central Mindanao
Posted at 04/17/2013 6:31 PM | Updated as of 04/17/2013 6:31 PM
COTABATO CITY, Philippines -- The Department of Education - Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) is set to deploy teachers who will serve as Board of Election Inspectors in the May 13 polls.
Teachers Alliance for Change President Abunawas Solaiman is seeking security protection from the DepEd.
"Aside po sa 3,000 pesos na matatanggap namin na talaga namang hindi sapat, humingi din po talaga kami ng security protection. Minsan nakasiksik kami sa isang sulok ng paaralan dahil sa banta sa amin. Meron na pong mga guro na nabuwis na buhay. May mga politicians kasi na gagawin ang lahat para manalo," Solaiman said.
DepEd-ARMM Regional Assistant Secretary Noor Saada said they have already gathered information on the teachers' experiences during elections.
With the help of DepEd-ARMM Regional Secretary Jamar Kulayan, who is also a lawyer, Saada said they will organize an election response team to monitor and check who among the teachers are under threat from politicians.
Aside from the election response team, DepEd-ARMM is also set to provide legal protection for teachers who will serve on election day.
"Meron din kaming na-interview na isang teacher na kinasuhan. Tinanong namin kung may nakuha ba silang legal assistance from DepEd, sabi nila wala. So this time, we will see to it that they are well protected. P3,000 lang ang honorarium nila tapos ang kakaharapin nila katakot-takot then wala naman silang perang panggastos," Saada said.
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/17/13/armm-teachers-seek-protection-may-13-polls
