MANILA — Despite a few incidents of alleged election-related violence, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Director Camilo Cascolan, said the barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) elections in Metro Manila were generally peaceful and orderly.
“The BSKE (Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election) 2018 has been generally peaceful except for three incidents of mauling in front of (a) voting precinct in San Andres Bukid in Metro Manila, physical injury and vote-buying in Marhalika, Taguig City,” Cascolan said in a statement released Tuesday.
The NCRPO chief lauded the policemen for their quick response that led to the arrest of the suspects for alleged vote-buying and physical injury.
Teofilo Banares Jr., 58, was arrested by PO1 Macario Esteban of the Southern Police District at the Upper Bicutan Wet Market in Taguig at about 7:39 a.m. on Monday for offering PHP1,000 in exchange for voting a candidate for village councilor.
Banares, who was caught on video handing out cash, was brought to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila at about 12:49 p.m. Monday.
Meanwhile, the police is looking into the mauling incident in San Andres Bukid and the physical injury case in Taguig. No detail has been made available.
Cascolan commended the policemen deployed for election duties.
“Despite the scorching heat and congested polling places, still they were able to perform their duties, secure the area and the people against would-be criminals and provide security assistance,” he said.
He also emphasized the significance of teamwork and preparation the NCRPO had made since the start of the election period on April 14 until Election Day.
From April 14 to May 14, Cascolan said 357 violators of the Omnibus Election Code were arrested, while 30 were arrested for violating the liquor ban, and 126 assorted firearms and 650 deadly weapons were confiscated.
He also thanked the public for their support and cooperation.
“The success of the BSKE is attributed to the shared efforts of everyone,” Cascolan said as he acknowledged the collective efforts of the Comelec, Joint Task Force-NCR, partner government agencies and the public.
He also congratulated the winners of the local polls, saying, “I look forward to working with you in making our region peaceful, progressive and drug free.” (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
