Explain few vote buying arrests, cop chiefs asked

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde has sought an explanation from police chiefs on why only a few people were arrested for vote buying and selling even though the PNP was  swamped with complaints.

“We will talk about it during our critique session,” Albayalde said in a text message to The  STAR. 

“We can improve on this concern in the next elections,” he said.

The PNP said the Cordilleras reported only one arrest for vote buying, Cagayan Valley and Davao, two, and Mimaropa five.

Central Luzon reported eight arrests; Central Visayas, nine, and Zamboanga peninsula, six.

The National Capital Region Police Office said 136 people were arrested while the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police reported 36.

The PNP said it confiscated around P12.2 million in cash from the suspects.

The Caraga police seized P7.9 million while the Northern Mindanao police recovered P1.1 million.

Albayalde said tougher measures should be implemented to curb vote buying.

“There should be a body... to verify the probable cause or truthfulness of these reports,” he said.