Police warn against vote buying

CEBU, Philippines — Police are keeping an eye on possible vote buying and warned the public that they will face arrest and criminal prosecution if caught violating the election laws.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) deputy director for operations Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla issued the warning following several reports of alleged vote buying that they have responded.

"So far wa tay na prove nga mga vote buying pero duna tay mga na alarmahan, last Tuesday dunay nitawag nato diri kay dunay mga alleged vote buying dira sa area sa Mambaling, Basak, Pardo," said Parilla.

Upon verification, the police found several individuals gathering at the area upon the initiative of incumbent Cebu City South District Rep. Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa.

"Allegedly they are profiling for a project, kining TUPAD project sa DOLE, Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced workers, that is a program of DOLE," Parilla said.

Parilla said that initially the police did not have any idea that the program was under DOLE since the call they got was a report of alleged vote buying.

Last Wednesday, Parilla said they coordinated with DOLE to get the background of the TUPAD project, and they were told that it was funded by the congressman.

"But according to the DOLE, dugay nani nahuman na project, has no funds at all, and they do not have any field worker nga ga conduct ani at all," said Parilla.

The police, however, made an official report on the incident to the DOLE. The labor department has already started its own investigation into the alleged use of the program as a political tool to advance the political interest of a certain candidate.

Abellanosa’s son and namesake, Bebot, is a candidate for congressman in the south district. —FPL (FREEMAN)