Here’s The Official PNP Report On Mlang Vote Buying Incident

PRO 12, Tambler, General Santos City- PBGEN ELISEO TAM RASCO, Regional Director, Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 have just warned the electorate to be cautious of electoral offences and their corresponding sanctions in a press conference with the Chief PNP on Thursday. Thereafter, in just two days’ time, a vote buying took place at the Barangay Hall of New Kalibo, Mlang, North Cotabato.

At around 4:30 in the afternoon of May 10, 2019, elements of Mlang Municipal Police Station (MMPS) led by PLTCOL GEOVANNI E LADEO and members of 7thIB, Philippine Army proceeded to the aforementioned area to verify a report of a concerned citizen of the alleged vote buying activity being conducted in the place thereat.

The suspects sensed the arrival of the responding team therefor immediately hid themselves inside their service vehicle, a white Mitsubishi Strada Pickup bearing plate number LGM 741 parked five meters near the Barangay Hall.

PLTCOL LADEO courteously asked the alleged suspects to roll the window down but the latter refused. They only yielded to the cops’ request and dismounted the vehicle three hours after when their legal counsel arrived. Upon witness’ positive confirmation of the same individuals who conducted the said vote buying activity inside the Barangay Hall, a search was conducted.

The suspects were later identified as (1) Mateo Cabrillos Cuarteros, 52 years old, married, driver and a resident of Poblacion, Carmen, Cotabato; (2) Sonny Dafielmoto Pasquin, 55 years old, married, farmer and a resident of New Rizal, Mlang, Cotabato; (3) Joel Forden Bolero, 55 years old, married, farmer, and a resident of New Rizal, Mlang, Cotabato; and (4) Christine Punzalan Esparagoza, 33 years old, married and a resident of Poblacion, Carmen, Cotabato

Following evidences were also found out and recovered from the possession and control of the suspects:

1. Two Thousand Six Hundred Sixty (2660) pcs of One Hundred Peso Bill amounting to Two Hundred Sixty Six Thousand (P266,000.00) Pesos;

2. Four (4) Sheets of paper with Name of Persons with their corresponding signatures; and

3. One (1) unit color white heavy tinted Mitsubishi Strada pickup bearing plate number LGM 741, which was driven by Mr. Mateo Cabrillos Cuarteros.

The suspects were immediately brought to Mlang MPS and were placed inside custodial facility after conduct of medical examination and booking procedure. Inquest case of Disobedience to Authority and Vote Buying are now being prepared for inquest proceeding to be filed at Provincial Prosecutors Office, Kabacan, Cotabato. (Pat Jose Dullano III, RPIO 12-PNCO)