MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police has called on the public to help them arrest individuals who will engage in vote buying, saying that person can only be investigated or arrested if there is a complainant.
Police Director Paul Monteagudo of the PNP-Directorate for Operations said somebody has to testify that a person is being paid to buy his or her vote before an investigation or arrest can be made.
Monteagudo said that even if police see a person handing out money to another person they cannot make an arrest.
This is because the money handed out can be actually intended for some other purpose, he said.
He said the PNP has issued a memorandum to guide officers in the provisions of vote buying.
So far, the PNP said it has not received reports or complaints on vote buying.
“For the policeman to be morally convinced that there is vote buying activity, he will need the people’s help,” Monteagudo said.