CEBU, Philippines – The police in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday found money stapled to a sample ballot bearing the name of a candidate in barangay Punta Engaño, two days after the shooting incident in sitio Lupa which killed the driver of Angel Rodriguez, a candidate who ran for barangay captain.
As this developed, Rodriguez, in a separate press conference, said he will file charges against some members of the Lapu-Lapu City police who he alleged interrupted the flow of the counting of votes at the Punta Engaño Elementary School.
Lapu-Lapu City police chief Senior Superintendent Mariano Natuel told The FREEMAN he directed yesterday morning his men to take the motorcycle driven by Demetrio Sumalpong, Jr. inside the police station.
Natuel said after last Monday's incident, the motorcycle driven by Sumalpong was parked outside the police station with other motorcycles that have been impounded for some traffic violations.
The motorcycle, after it was inspected, yielded campaign materials and some 20 sample ballots with the names of Rodriguez and his complete slate written on them and a P200 bill stapled to each of the ballots.
Natuel said he suspects the money was used to buy votes.
He said the money will be turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the lead investigator of the killing.
Rodriguez, on the other hand, said he will file charges against members of the Lapu-Lapu City who showed their preference for his opponent, Lourdes Ibag.
Rodriguez said a policeman assigned to Cluster Precinct -520-A and 0520-B was carrying his firearm and shouted in Cebuano "Hapa mo! Hapa mo! And then shut off the power inside.
Rodriguez said his supporter failed to identify him because of the lack of a name-plate.
But they can recognize his face, he said.
"Mupasaka gyud ko og kaso sa mga polis ug uban pang mga tanod-tanod nga mao na hinoon ang naghimo og kagubot," Rodriguez said.
He said the policemen assigned in barangay Punta Engaño were not sent there to maintain peace and order but to protect the administration candidate.
He alleged that Lourdes Ibag, the declared winner of last Monday's election, cannot hire the services of former scout rangers on her own but was aided by the camp of Congressman Arturo Radaza and his wife Paz Radaza.
Both Congressman Radaza and Mayor Radaza were not available for comment yesterday.
Rodriguez said the Radazas supported Ibag's reelection bid by using their power and influence.
He also said he was glad the CIDG is now handling the case and not the police in Lapu-Lapu.
Police have filed murder charges against six suspects in Monday's killing of Sumalpong.
Charged for murder before the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor's Office were barangay tanods Alejandro Viloria, Remigio Bantillo Jr., and four others who remain at large.
Viloria and Bantillo Jr. are now confined at the Mactan Doctors' Hospital for gunshot wounds.
SPO1 Diogenes Carillo is presently detained at the CIDG detention cell for allegedly violating the gun ban.
He will also face a possible administrative sanction.
It was learned that all policemen were to remain at the police station on the eve of the election.
Carillo is assigned to the Liloan police station. His wife, Emma, who is Ibag's niece, ran for barangay councilor under Rodriguez's banner. (FREEMAN)