MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Police have apprehended two men who were suspected of violating election laws separately

The first suspect was a 25-year-old laborer who is reportedly residing in Sitio Tinubale, Barangay Sta. Ines, Malitbog, Bukidnon.

He was netted at a COMELEC Checkpoint at Crossing Sta. Ines, Malitbog, Bukidnon around 2:25pm on October 29, 2023.

Police reports said that recovered from the suspect were bundles of cash amounting to Php 43,250.00 and paper election flyers.

According to the report, a case for violation of section 261 of the Comelec Omnibus Code was prepared against the suspect.

Meanwhile, the other suspect was a curfew violator held by the police.

He was a 19-year-old residing in Balangay 1C, Poblacion, Quezon, Bukidnon.

Initial investigation revealed that while the said PNP and AFP personnel were conducting random checks on the curfew violators, particularly at Balangay 5, Pob, Quezon, Bukidnon, the said suspect was asked to provide his identification card.

As he took his ID card from the right pocket of his worn jacket, accidentally, a piece of sample ballot fell off on the ground with a stapled Php 50.00 bill.

The police disclosed that they also recovered more sample ballots with attached bills amounting to Php 2,350.00.

As of press time, the apprehended person is now under the custody of Quezon PNP for proper disposition.

The apprehension was inlined on the strict implementation of the Comelec to ensure a peaceful and orderly Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) 2023 on October 30. (MG Mayumi B. Madera)