Manila barangay chairman held for destroying Isko Moreno posters

MANILA, Philippines — Police have arrested a barangay chairman in Manila for allegedly destroying the campaign materials of then mayoral candidate Isko Moreno in the midterm elections.

Manny Macasu was apprehended inside the barangay hall along Laguna street on Friday afternoon.

Lt. Col. Julius Ceasar Domingo, commander of the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 3, said they nabbed Macasu based on a warrant issued by Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 19 Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar for violating the Fair Elections Act on June 28.

Police said the warrant stemmed from a complaint of Moreno that Macasu led the destruction of his campaign posters.

Under Section 24 of Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Elections Act, “it is unlawful for any person to remove, destroy, take down or in any manner deface or tamper with, or prevent the distribution of election propaganda.”

Moreno had complained that his campaign materials were either destroyed or vandalized.

Macasu was singled out after a netizen posted a video of him ordering a man to destroy the tarpaulin of Moreno.

On March 5, Moreno asked the MPD to conduct a probe after two motorcycle-riding men fired at his billboard at the corner of Herrera and Rizal Avenue.

The court recommended bail of P12,000 for Macasu’s temporary liberty.