National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has documented 17 cases of vote-buying from the start of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) period, or August 28, until a day before the polls.
According to PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., they started receiving reports of vote-buying incidents days before the BSKE.
“We have also received reports of alleged vote buying in certain areas since last week. We have taken immediate action by relaying this information to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for proper disposition,” Acorda said in a press briefing Monday.
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Citing from police data, the PNP chief reported that of the 17, one each occurred in Regions 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 4-A (Calabarzon), 4-B (Mimaropa), 7 (Central Visayas), 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 10 (Northern Mindanao), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and National Capital Region.
Meanwhile, three each happened in Region 1 (Ilocos Region) and 12 (Soccsksargen), while the remaining two vote-buying incidents were monitored in Region 6 (Western Visayas).
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Acorda did not reveal the number of arrested individuals in these incidents but assured that they are closely monitoring the areas mentioned,
“Rest assured that we will continue to closely monitor these incidents until the closing of the polling centers. We have made extensive preparations to ensure the safety and integrity of the voting process,” he said.