AKLAN – A jobless man was arrested on Sunday evening, May 11, for alleged vote-buying after authorities found cash and campaign materials in his possession during a Commission on Elections (Comelec) checkpoint in Barangay Poblacion, Madalag town in this province.
The 56-year-old alias “Romeo”, a resident of the town’s Barangay Logohon, was flagged down at around 9:15 p.m. while riding a Suzuki Shogun motorcycle.
According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnel M. Solis, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), Romeo appeared hesitant to pass through the checkpoint, prompting authorities to inspect him.
The checkpoint was manned by personnel from the Madalag Municipal Police Station led by Police Captain Jayson Mausig, along with members of the Philippine Army headed by Sergeant Wilmer Villanueva, in coordination with acting election officer Gerelle June Villorente.
“When asked about the bulge on his back waist, the suspect said it was just paper. He was later found carrying a red-and-white striped plastic bag that contained multiple envelopes with cash and sample ballots,” Solis said.
Recovered from the suspect were P21,900 in various denominations, sample ballots, campaign materials, and a list of coordinators and leaders.
Solis said some of the bills were found inside brown envelopes, each with printed campaign materials, suggesting intent to distribute them to influence voters — a violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11104, Section 26.
Authorities brought the suspect and his motorcycle to the Madalag police station for proper disposition./PN
