Female cops deputized as BEIs in ARMM areas in wake of teacher’s killing

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Following Sunday’s violence in SK Pendatun town in Maguindanao that led to the killing of the education district supervisor, the Commission on Elections has put the town under its control, with deputized police officers taking the lead as Board of Election Inspectors.

At least 200 women police officers were dispatched to serve as BEIs across areas of concern in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, including Maguindanao.

Inspector Haron Macabanding, SK Pendatun police chief, said some of the teachers did not show up in their respective polling precincts because of the killings.

“The teachers declined to serve as BEIs [fearing for] their lives,” said Bai Meriam Kawit, Maguindanao school’s division superintendent.

On Sunday, motorcycle-riding gunmen shot and killed Abas Minsu, Maguindanao district school supervisor and member of the municipal board of canvassers.