SOME P1.9 million cash were seized and two people were arrested for vote buying in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, the police reported Monday, May 9.
Police Colonel Diomarie Albarico, Zamboanga del Sur police director, identified the arrested suspects as Dimple Gallego, 19, and Jamiaca Mae Arsenal, 19, residents of San Pedro and Maralag villages, respectively, in Dumingag.
Albarico said they were arrested by Dumingag Municipal Mayor Joan Abejuela around 11 a.m. Sunday, May 8, at the health center of Dulop village.
Before they were arrested, Abejuela received information that a vote buying is taking place at the health center, prompting her to verify the report.
Abejuela vividly saw the vote-buying activities, prompting her to call for police assistance, but the barangay officials scampered, leaving the two suspects, who were eventually arrested.
Seized from the two suspects were documents, bundles of cash, and bundles of a white envelope containing cash.
Also seized were bundles of white envelope containing P2,500 each, totaling to P1.9 million; payroll of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad); and lists of voter's names with precinct numbers.
He said the arrested suspects and the pieces of evidences seized from them were placed under the custody of the Dumingag Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. (SunStar Zamboanga)