LA
TRINIDAD, Benguet – Top Cordillera police officials warned politicians against
vote buying during the Barangay and Sangunniang Kabataan (SK) elections in
October saying they would be liable if they do so.
Regional police director Chief Supt. Benjamin
Magalong issued a directive to all commanders of the Cordillera Police Regional
Office to stop election cheating in the region.
During the May elections, Magalong formally
filed criminal charges against at least two politicians in Abra for their
alleged involvement in vote buying activities.
Regional police spokesperson Supt. Davy
Limmong said all police commanders in the
region were directed to actively pursue criminal charges against persons
who will be caught in the act of vote-buying.
Limmong added Magalong also directed all
police commanders to protect the voters from harassment.
He said that the regional police director is
also urging “active citizenship” as he seeks help from the public in the
campaign against election cheats.
Meanwhile, Magalong said that the regional
police isalredy working with their military counterparts in the region to
ensure a peaceful Barangay and SK elections.
He said that at least 36 barangays in the
region, 33 of which are in Abra, are included in the list of election hot
spots. Fourteen of these barangays have been identified with intense political
rivalries.
The Cordillera police also urged candidates
not to give in to the campaign extortion demands of the New People's Army.
Magalong appealed to politicians to
immediately report to the police if they are approached by the rebels and asked
to pay for a "permit-to-campaign" fee.
No comments:
Post a Comment