Police nab 5 armed men in Mindoro for vote-buying, harassment 

CALAPAN CITY, Philippines  – Five armed men were arrested by police and army personnel for alleged vote buying and harassment of voters in Gloria town Oriental Mindoro province Saturday night.

MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) police information officer Lt. Col. Socrates Faltadoidentified the suspects as Noyme Moreno, 38, Jose Porras, 32, Restituto Constantino, 62, George Malacas, 31, and Dennis Nepomuceno, 32.

Socrates said police officers were manning their checkpoint along the Strong Republic Nautical Highway in Barangay (village) Balete when they received a phone call from Gloria Vice Mayor Ramon Solas about a white closed van loaded with armed men who were allegedly engaged in vote-buying and harassment of voters at the Core Housing.

Solas is a mayoral candidate running against incumbent German “Bitoy” Rodegerio.

Police officers then went to Sitio (sub-village) Aplaya and flagged down the van at around 9 p.m.

After requesting back up from the military, the authorities confiscated two caliber .45 pistol pistols, two magazines for caliber .45 pistols, two magazines for a Glock 9 mm pistol, 18 rounds for caliber .45 guns, 31 rounds for a 9 mm pistol, and one cignus handheld radio.

The suspects and items are now under the custody of the Gloria police.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)