At least 66 teachers fail to show up in Cotabato City precincts for BOL plebiscite

Voters form long line in front of Sero Central Elementary School located along Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City for today’s plebiscite on Bangsamoro Organic Law. EDWIN O. FERNANDEZ

COTABATO CITY—Dozens of teachers did not show up at the polling centers in this city Monday, causing delays in the conduct of plebiscite to ratify the law that would give the Moro Islamic Liberation Front full autonomy in the new Bangsamoro homeland, the Commission on Election said Monday.

Lawyer Rey Sumalipao, Comelec Regional Director for the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said at least 66 teachers who would supposedly serve the six villages here did not report to their respective assignments due to threats they received last night.

“There were threats according to them but somehow our police and military are ready to secure them,” Sumalipao said. He said they sorted out the delay with substitutes from the police force.

“We assure the people any time our substitutes will arrive and they can start the voting,” Sumalipao added./lzb