Cops probe Gapan break-in

GAPAN CITY—Police are investigating a break-in at the Hall of Justice here on July 14, where boxes containing contested election ballots from three Nueva Ecija towns are being stored.

Police forensic teams found that a box marked as containing ballots from Jaen town was opened but a check on its contents showed nothing was missing.

Boxes from Jaen and the towns of Cabiao and San Antonio have been placed under the custody of the Gapan regional trial court (RTC).

These served as evidence in an election protest filed by losing mayoral candidate Prospero Antonio Esquivel against reelected Mayor Santiago Austria.

Austria was proclaimed winner in the May 13 elections. Judge Mildred Hernal of the Gapan RTC is hearing the case. Armand Galang, Inquirer Central Luzon