TWO persons were nabbed in Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental for alleged vote buying, which is a violation of the Omnibus Election Code, during the May 13 elections.
The suspects were identified as Gary Sael, 32, a resident of Purok 3, Barangay Culipapa, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental; and Ritchie Lero, 46, a tricycle driver and resident of Purok 4, Barangay Culipapa, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental.
Police said that around 2 p.m. Monday, May 13, members of Quick Response Team together with Barangay Culipapa kagawad Domingo Caberio and poll watchers Gaudecio Perocho and Junrey Castro, turned over to Hinobaan Municipal Police Station the suspects who were caught in the act of giving sample ballots with money to voters inside the vicinity of Culipapa Elementary School.
Recovered from Sael were a bag containing a sample ballot, list of voters, six brown envelopes, each containing P300 and sample ballot, and a white envelope containing P400.
Recovered from Lero were two sample ballots with P250 cash.
The total money recovered amounted to P2,450.
The suspects are now under the custody of Hinobaan Police Station with pending case for violation of Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines (vote buying).