AT LEAST 16 people who were allegedly involved in vote-buying in Northern Mindanao were arrested the night before the Election Day, a regional police official said on Monday, May 13.
Lieutenant Colonel Surki Serenas, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao, said two were apprehended in Bukidnon, five in Lanao del Norte, two in Misamis Occidental and seven in Iligan City.
He said more than P1 million pesos intended to buy votes was seized.
“Ang pinakadako ani is P100,000,” Serenas said.
“A day after the assumption of office, newly designated regional director Police Brigadier General Rafael Santiago Jr. has taken on the challenge of ensuring honest, peaceful and orderly election,” he added.
Serenas said out of 16, eight cases were filed in court.
Authorities have intensified the campaign against vote-buying in region.
In Cagayan de Oro City, police held a motorcade to campaign against vote-buying.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Mardy Hortillosa II, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police, said a task force has been formed to focus on vote buying incidents which will be lead by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Commission on Elections.