At least 839 teachers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have backed out of serving in the September 14 elections, citing fears over possible violence in areas considered security risks.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the affected teachers come from Lanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Sur, the Special Geographic Area, and Cotabato City. The withdrawals come as BARMM holds a historic vote to choose its first regular parliament, making election security a critical concern for both voters and poll workers.
Teachers have long served as frontline personnel during Philippine elections, often handling voting operations directly inside precincts. But in areas where tensions are high, their role also places them close to the risks that come with political rivalry, local conflict, and election-related intimidation.
Security officials assured the public that police and military forces are ready to secure polling places across the region. The challenge now is to keep the elections moving while ensuring that teachers, voters, and election personnel are not forced to choose between civic duty and personal safety.
For BARMM, the vote is a milestone for democratic self-rule. But for the teachers who stepped back, the message is also clear: peace must not only be promised at the ballot box — it must be felt by the people asked to protect it.