Seven nabbed in mauling of BEI chair, 2 poll watchers in Datu Piang

Police officers arrested seven suspects for allegedly mauling a Board of Election Inspectors chairman and two poll watchers inside an election precinct in Datu Piang, Maguindanao on Eleksyon 2022.

This developed as five poll watchers were also arrested on May 9 in Cotabato City for shading ballots without the authority of the actual voters.

According to the Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, the suspects entered the precinct at the Datu Piang National High School in Barangay Buayan.

The victim suffered injuries and have been brought to Abpi-Samama Lying in Medical Hospital for medical treatment.

The suspects were placed under the custody at the Datu Piang Municipal Police Station while the appropriate complaints were being prepared.

After the incident, the elections at the said precinct continued with police officers serving as BEI as authorized by the Comelec.

As regards those caught shading ballots of other voters, the five were identified as poll watchers at one of the precincts at the Amerol Elementary School in Mother Barangay Kalanganan, Cotabato City.

They have been arrested and placed in the custody of Police Station 4. Seized from them were the ballots they were to shade allegedly. —Mel Matthew Doctor/NB, GMA News