A public-school teacher assigned as an electoral board member for the 2025 National and Local Elections was shot by unidentified gunmen on Sunday, just one day before polls open nationwide.
According to Colonel Jay-Jay Javines, spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), the female teacher was riding a motorcycle from Lantawan to Isabela City when she was ambushed in Barangay Sumagdang.
The teacher was en route to Barangay Mangas in Lantawan, where she was scheduled to serve at a polling precinct during the election. She survived the attack and is now recovering at a hospital.
“We still need to investigate the motive behind the shooting. Fortunately, she is now out of harm’s way,” Colonel Javines said.
The assailants remain unidentified, and an investigation is ongoing.
In response to the attack, WestMinCom has intensified its security measures across Basilan, particularly for teachers and personnel assigned to election duties.
“The teachers will go with our security forces. We will have convoy security, providing them with military escorts aboard military vehicles,” Javines added.
The shooting occurred amid heightened tensions in Basilan. On the same day, a separate election-related incident erupted in Barangay Langil Island, Hadji Mohammad Ajul.
WestMinCom reported that a firefight broke out between supporters of mayoral candidate Talib G. Pawaki of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) and those allied with municipal councilor candidate Muhammad Hassan of the Basilan Unity Party (BUP).
The clash resulted in four confirmed casualties — two dead (one from each group) and one wounded individual from Pawaki’s camp.
“They were supposed to be there to prepare the precinct for tomorrow’s elections when they were fired upon. The mayor was fortunately protected by his bodyguard, and his team responded,” said Javines.
“As of now, the area is pacified and stable. We have beefed up security in Barangay Langil and deployed additional forces,” Javines confirmed. “There is no declaration suspending the election tomorrow.”
The AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP) continue to coordinate closely to ensure the safety of voters, electoral board members, and other personnel involved in Eleksyon 2025.
