PNP says some cash used in vote-buying possibly ‘drug money’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday that a portion of the P12 million cash confiscated from alleged vote-buying incidents across the country are possibly “drug money” or cash sourced from the illegal drug trade.

“Malaki ang posibilidad na ito ay nagagamit din, [na] ang drug money ay nagagamit din sa halalan, lalo na sa vote-buying,” PNP spokesperson Police Col. Bernard Banac said in a press conference at Camp Crame.

(There is a big possibility that drug money is also being used in the elections, especially in vote-buying.)

“‘Yung posibilidad na may kaugnayan pa rin ang drug money dito sa mga insidente ng pamimili ng boto ay hindi natin maaalis (We cannot discount the possibility that drug money is related to incidents of vote-buying),” he added.

The PNP has already confiscated P12,208,958 in all 225 alleged vote-buying incidents across the country as of Tuesday for this year’s polls.

A total of 449 violators were reported, including 356 arrested and eight minors rescued. Banac said the PNP has already filed cases against the arrested violators.

READ: P12M confiscated in police operations vs vote buying

On election day, PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde admitted that the police had received “massive” reports of vote-buying across the country in relation to the midterm polls.

But the reports, he said, require validation as some are “not confirmed” and “not actually true.” (Editor: Julie Espinosa)

READ: Albayalde: ‘Massive’ vote buying reported across Philippines