PNP probes tearing of ballots in viral video

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group is looking into a video which has gone viral, showing two policemen in Cotabato City tearing up ballots.

At the Laging Handa press briefing yesterday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the video could have been edited or spliced to make it appear there was an irregularity and cast doubt on the integrity of the conduct of elections in the city.

PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. had earlier defended the two policemen, saying the video had been “fact-checked.”

Citing a report from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police, Danao said the incident occurred at the Datu Ayunan Elementary School in Barangay Kalanganan.

He said the policemen, who served as members of the special electoral board of inspectors for four clustered precincts, were ordered to tear up unused and blank ballots at the close of voting hours as provided under the Omnibus Election Code.

Danao said Arfaj-Erven Ahmad, the designated election supervisor officer as well as watchers from OneCotabato and United Bangsamoro Justice parties, witnessed the destruction of the ballots.

He called on the public to be circumspect in dealing with information from unverified sources.