297 arrested in alleged vote-buying incidents

Almost 300 individuals allegedly involved in 332 vote buying incidents were arrested during the course of the May 2019 mid-term elections, according to a report on GMA News'  Balita Pilipinas Ngayon on Tuesday.

Authorities reported that they recovered election paraphernalia and P150,000 in cash from two people in Siniloan, Laguna, while operations in Moises Padilla and EB Magalona in Negros Occidental resulted in the arrest of 30 suspects, including minors, allegedly buying votes.

Authorities reportedly seized from them 127 pieces of sample ballots, each with P1,000 in cash.

Also in the town of Moises Padilla, police arrested 12 suspects who were allegedly selling votes.

"Meron tayong 12 na worth P12,000 man each sample ballots, is one thousand so nakaipit na 'yan so na-recover natin in possession of those mga arrested na 12," said Negros Occidental Deputy Provincial Director Lieutenant Colonel Adrian Acollador.

Meanwhile, some residents of Palawan were reportedly caught selling votes near a house in Virac, Catanduanes.

Laguna police also nabbed a suspect allegedly vote-buying in Biñan, as well astwo others in Sta. Cruz. — Margaret Claire Layug/BM, GMA News