Teacher, 9 others nabbed for vote-buying in Cotabato, Tacurong City

COTABATO CITY — Police in Soccsksargen arrested 10 persons, including a government employee and a teacher, caught in the act of vote buying in Tacurong City and two towns in Cotabato province from May 10 to 12.

Police Brigadier General Eliseo Tam Rasco, police director for Region 12 (Soccsksargen), said voting-buying incidents occurred in the towns of Mlang and Kabacan in Cotabato province (formerly North Cotabato) and in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat.

Rasco said police arrested at 10 p.m. on May 10 Renato Toreja Jr, driver of Sultan Kudarat provincial government and resident of Tacurong City and Jesse Ramillo, tricycle driver in Barangay Poblacion, Tacurong City.

Toreja was caught allegedly in possession of cash and a list of persons who received money to vote a particular candidate.

Rasco said in Barangay New Kalibo, Mlang, Cotabato, police arrested four persons, identified as Mateo Cuarteros, Sonny Pasquin, both of Mlang; and Joel Bolero and kindergarten teacher Christine Esparagoza, both of Carmen town in Cotabato.

Rasco said they were seen distributing cash to registered voters in Barangay New Kalibo.

Seized from them were P200,660 cash and a list of persons who received cash.

In Barangay Paatan, Kabacan, Cotabato, police arrested Artemio Alipada, Wilfredo Costez, and Arturo Seduco for alleged vote-buying by distributing rice to voters.

Police seized 12 sacks of rice from them and a tricycle.

Janjee Porras of Koronadal City was also arrested for distributing money to buy votes on Sunday night.

Rasco said 26 persons were also arrested on Sunday night for violating the election liquor ban.