Military seize more than P1M cash allegedly allotted for vote buying in Zamboanga, Lanao

Members of the 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division recovered a paper bag containing money P1,056,700 on Saturday in Barangay Dapiwak, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur allegedly to be used to buy votes.

Personnel from the of 97th Infantry (KALASAG-LAHI) Battalion 1ID, while conducting security patrol, received information from concerned citizens on the presence of suspicious looking individuals vote buying and harassing residents.

“Our troops found the money believed to be left by the goons of unidentified politician at the back of an abandoned house in the said barangay,” said Lieutenant Colonel Rufino de Leon, 97IB commanding officer.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, May 12, 2019, combined elements of 5th Infantry Battalion, 1ID and Tubod Municipal Police Station (MPS) in coordination with the Election Officer of Tubod, Lanao del Norte, arrested five individuals suspected of engaging in vote buying in Purok 7, Barangay Bualan in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

Recovered from their possession were cash amounting to P123, 868, sample ballots, and other campaign paraphernalia.

Brigadier General Roberto Ancan, commander of the military forces in Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces said, “We in the AFP together with the PNP are in full support of the COMELEC to have a secure and fair elections. We will not allow anybody, regardless of what political party they belong, to threaten or intimidate our people in this electoral process.”

Ancan further said, “We challenge all the candidates, civil society organizations, religious groups and the citizenry to be more vigilant in preventing violence and not be swayed by the use of guns, goons and gold.”

“To the electorate, go out and vote. Feel safe, secured and participate in this momentous event of our democratic way of life,” added Ancan.

The recovered money of 97IB and 5IB were turned over to Comelec officials of Zamboanga del Sur and Lanao del Norte, respectively, while the apprehended personalities were turned over to Tubod, MPS for proper disposition. — Merlyn Manos/BAP, GMA News