P1 million for vote buying seized in Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Norte

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Government troops arrested at least five persons and confiscated more than P1.1-million cash suspected to to be spend to buy votes in two separate incidents in Zamboanga del Sur and Lanao del Norte.

Brig. Gen. Roberto Ancan, chief of the Army 1st Division, said his forces recovered a paper bag containing cash amounting P1,056,700 at Barangay Dapiwak in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur on Saturday night.

Ancan said troops from 97th Infantry Battalion were conducting a security patrol when they received information about the presence of "goons" harassing voters in the area.

“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,” Lt. Col Rufino de Leon, commanding officer of 97IB reported to Ancan.

In another incident, combined elements of 5th Infantry Battalion and police authorities with election officials conducted the arrest at Barangay Bualan in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Ancan said.

Operating forces recovered from the suspect’s possession cash amounting to P123,868, sample ballots and other campaign paraphernalia.

Political candidates who would stand benefiting from the thwarted vote buying incidents were not identified.

Ancan said the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police are in full support of the Commission on Elections in the conduct of "secure and fair elections" on Monday.

"We will not allow anybody, regardless of what political party they belong, to threaten or intimidate our people in this electoral process," Ancan said.

Ancan challenged the candidates, civil society, 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," Ancan said.

 He said the recovered money of 97th IB and 5th IB were turned over to the COMELEC of Zamboanga del Sur and Lanao del Norte, respectively, while the apprehended personalities were turned over to Tubod Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.