INC bloc vote scam probed in Zambales

SUBIC, Zambales—Police here are investigating a scam targeting local candidates in the May 9 elections after arresting a man for allegedly using the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) in extorting money from them.

Eduard Barrera, 20, a tricycle driver, was arrested on Monday in an entrapment operation after trying to extort P18,000 from a local candidate allegedly in exchange for INC’s votes.

Ray Allan de la Paz, 46, who is running for a seat in the provincial board, had complained to the police that Barrera was sent to receive the money by a certain “Ka Orly Mauricio,” who claimed to be an official of INC’s first district in Olongapo City.

“The amount is supposedly for including my name in a survey that will be done by INC and that I will be endorsed by INC,” De la Paz said.

Lawyer Randy Escolango, an INC member, said their church was not involved in any fraudulent scheme. “INC is just being used by opportunists or extortionists. I hope this kind of scam will stop,” he said.

The suspect had previously taken P30,000 from De la Paz. “I knew it was a dubious transaction but I gave in to find out who is behind this scam. When the same person asked for additional P18,000, I sought the help of police,” De la Paz said.

Police arrested Barrera at 1 p.m. in front of an INC chapel in Barangay Calapandayan as soon as he received the marked money from De la Paz. Questioned by investigators, Barrera claimed a village councilor had masterminded the scheme.

“I was only instructed by the village councilor to get the money from a person who will hand it over to me,” Barrera said. According to De la Paz, other local candidates in the province fell victim to the same scheme but he did not identify them. Allan Macatuno, Inquirer Central Luzon