QC police nab mayoral bet, more than 40 others over alleged vote-buying incident

Quezon City mayoral candidate Vicente "Bingbong" Crisologo awith more than 40 individuals were arrested on Sunday evening due to his alleged involvement in a supposed vote-buying incident in Barangay Bahay Toro.

Bingbong Crisologo: Walang vote buying. May briefing lang ang poll watchers at doon ibibigay sa kanila ang id at accreditation. Pumunta ako doon dahil humingi ng tulong ang poll watcher. @gmanews @dzbb @UnangHirit pic.twitter.com/xXnZftoo9x

— James Agustin (@_jamesJA) 12 May 2019

GMA News' James Agustin reported that Crisologo and his son were arrested for obstruction of justice.

"Ang police operation ay vote buying. May mga inaresto. Ang report sa akin ng pulis ay dumating si Crisologo, minura ang lahat ng pulis at tinakot na kakasuhan," said Esquivel.

"He was arrested in the vote buying site under police operation, as of now, being investigated as to what is his business there," Quezon City Police District chief Police Brigadier General Joselito Esquivel Jr. said.

He added that Crisologo "went beyond the police line" and further investigation is still ongoing.

In a Facebook live video, Crisologo denied involvement in vote-buying. He said that he merely questioned the protocol implemented in the police operation.

"Ang nangyari meron tayong training ng mga watchers. Binibigay 'yung mga paraphernalia para sa watchers. Pinasok ng mga pulis sa loob ng bahay nang walang search warrant," he said.

"'Yung mga pulis naka-tsinelas, hindi naka-uniporme, may baril, so natural sumunod kami. Tiningnan namin, Pagdating namin, nakita namin, sinabihan namin 'yung pulis na bakit sila nag-tresspass?" he added.

He appealed to his supporters to visit him at Camp Karingal where he is detained with his son, Atty. Edrix Crisologo.

"Hindi po kami binasahan ng aming Miranda rights nor we were informed of why we were arrested," he added.

According to a separate report by Olan Bola in Super Radyo dzBB, the incident happened in Bahay Toro, Quezon City.

Citing Lieutenant Colonel Alex Alberto, station commander of the Talipapa Police, the report said Crisologo was arrested after he argued with the police who were conducting an operation against alleged vote buyers.

Crisologo and his son will face charges for obstruction of justice, according to Alberto.

The police said complaints of violation of section 261 (a) of the Omnibus Election Code on vote buying and selling, Obstruction of Justice, Unjust Vexation, Disobience and Resisting Arrest, Indirect Assault resulting to Physical Injury, Grave Coercion and Usurpation of Authority will be referred for inquest proceedings before the QC Prosecutor's Office. — Dona Magsino/LBG/BAP, GMA News