Election money seized

PAGADIAN CITY – The mayor of Zamboanga del Sur’s Dumingag town has reported alleged vote-buying and managed to seized nearly P2 million in cash and reported the matter to the police.

Mayor Joan Abejuela told police that she received a report from her villagers that a group of people, including village officials, were at the health center in the village of Dulop and buying votes on the eve of Election Day.

Abejuela said she rushed to the area and saw many people at the health center which prompted her to call the police. She said village officials scampered upon seeing her, but two young women. Dimple Benaventi Gallego and Jamaica Mae Maglangit Arsenal, both 19 years old, were left behind and eventually arrested by the police.

This was also confirmed by Maj. Shellamie Chang, a regional police spokeswoman, said the mayor was able to seize the documents, bundles of cash, and bundles of a white envelopes containing cash. “

Chang said an inventory was conducted at the health center in the presence of an election officer, Evalyn Hassan. The inventory yielded the following: One bundle with 54 pieces of white envelope containing P2,500.00 each; one  bundle with 41 pieces of white envelope containing P2,500.00; and 13 big bundles of white envelope with each bundle composed of 50 pieces of white envelope containing cash worth P2,500.00, one bundle of P500 bill worth P50,000.00, one bundle of P500 bill worth P26,500, Tupad workers payroll form and voter’s name with precinct number, stapled Camada forms of Purok 2 Brgy. Dulop, Dumingag, ZDS/Team Yu-Ariosa, Paglinawan Jamero consisting 15 pages, document containing names of residents of Purok 3 consisting nine pages, one piece HBW black ballpen and one piece Titus doodle ballpen.

“The arrested persons are now under the custody of Dumingag Municipal Police Station for proper disposition,” Chang said without elaborating further, but added police were investigating the incident. (Mindanao Examiner)