“Kidnapping” of voters, fake money reported in Bohol

CEBU, Philippines - At least 35 people, believed to be supporters of Liberal Party candidates, were allegedly "kidnapped" or kept in a place to prevent them from voting in Barangay Virgen of Anda town.

Reports have it that these people were fetched by a dump truck and brought to a place, allegedly owned by UNA mayoralty bet, Vice Mayor Paulino Amper, since dawn on election day.

Tuba Barangay Chairman Almar Jose Andayan confirmed that he saw at least 35 voters allegedly held inside the mansion and cockpit arena of Amper.

He said there were actually more than 100 voters held, but some of them were allegedly kept in beach resorts. Most of them were as young as 19 years old, and their whereabouts became known to the public after they contacted their parents themselves and reported that they were held inside the cockpit arena, and others were inside the politician's house.

They reported that they were given food and drops of indelible ink were put on their index fingernails to prevent them from casting their votes.

Lawyers Birongoy and Felicitas offered their legal services and are drafting the complaint against Amper. Felicitas proceeded to a court in Candijay town to get a court order for the release of the voters.

A crowd gathered outside the vice mayor's mansion and cockpit arena located just a few meters from each other in barangay Poblacion, calling for the release of the voters.

Bohol Police Provincial Office director Sr. Supt. Constantinon Barot Jr. also ordered the Anda Police to proceed to the area and negotiate for their release.

Barot, however, said some of them--mostly youths--who were invited to the municipal police station to give their side denied they were held under duress and that some of them were just lured with a promise of favor after the elections. He explained that there was nothing to place in the blotter because there was no complainant.

The police team wanted to search the vice mayor's house and the cockpit arena, and find the other victims reportedly kept in some resorts.  — (FREEMAN)