MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / 09 Aug) – A Filipino senator on Thursday urged authorities to immediately resolve the killing of a public school teacher in Mindanao island in the southern Philippines.
Police said Musa Dimasidsing, school district supervisor in Maguindanao province, was killed on June 9 in his hometown in North Cotabato. Dimasidsing was murdered after exposing alleged poll fraud in Maguindanao.
Despite threats to his life, Dimasidsing testified that ballots for last May’s elections were tampered with.
Senator Mar Roxas said the sacrifice of the slain teacher must not be in vain. Roxas filed a Senate Resolution honoring Dimasidsing.
“The unresolved murder of Dimasidsing is a blot on the nation’s soul and a stern reminder that electoral reforms are needed to strengthen Philippine democracy,” Roxas said.
“To make light of the crime of poll fraud is to make light of the sovereign will of the people in choosing their leaders. Our debt to Musa Dimasidsing, who stood by the truth and in turn defended the people’s right to vote, is immeasurable.”
Dimasidsing, who served as election officer, was one of those that said polls in the province were dirty and marred with cheating and fraud.
Maguindanao, one of four other provinces under the Muslim autonomous region, is where President Gloria Arroyo’s senatorial candidates won by a landslide.
Roxas’ resolution also calls for the Senate to urge the relevant agencies to immediately resolve the case, and for the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry into the hazards confronting teachers who undertake poll duties.
Dimasidsing, he said, “should be remembered for refusing to let election fraud pass despite risks to his own life.”
The killing was believed connected to Dimasidsing’s exposé to prevent him from testifying about the cheating and fraud allegedly perpetrated by candidates. (Juan Magtanggol)
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