PNP: Pangasinan polls peaceful despite minor glitches

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan –The conduct of the midterm elections in Pangasinan was generally peacefully amid some problems encountered and incidents recorded, the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO) said.

PPPO director, Col. Wilson Joseph Lopez, in a radio interview Tuesday, said there were no significant violent incidents in the province during Monday’s polls.

But Lopez said the PPPO remains in full alert as they focus on securing the return of vote counting machines (VCMs), ballots, and voters’ registration verification machines.

“We thank everyone who helped us attain peaceful and safe elections, especially the media. The police cannot do it alone as we need the cooperation of everyone,” he said.

Capt. Ria Tacderan, public information officer of PPPO, said they have apprehended 122 liquor ban violators on Monday.

“Ninety six are from Urdaneta City while the 26 liquor ban violators are from San Fabian,” she said in an interview.

Tacderan further disclosed that aside from the alleged vote buying incident in Aguilar town, four more alleged vote buying incidents were busted in Calasiao, Urdaneta City, and Agno town.

The canvassing of votes in the province was still ongoing as of writing since some of the VCMs malfunctioned, causing delay in the casting and transmitting of votes.