4 alleged vote buyers arrested in Malabon, Valenzuela

MANILA, Philippines - At least four alleged vote buyers were arrested in yesterday’s elections in Valenzuela and Malabon.

Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr., Northern Police District (NPD) director, identified two of the suspects as Celedonio Agustin, 30, a resident of Barangay Veinte Realis, and Randy Rosales, 25, of Barangay Canumay, both in Valenzuela City.

The suspects were arrested in their respective barangays while reportedly giving voters gift stubs in favor of a candidate running for a seat at the city council.

Police were set to file yesterday appropriate charges against the suspects.

In Malabon City, Pagdilao directed the NPD operations chief Superintendent Pedro Sanchez to send police officers in Barangay Potrero after vote buyers were reportedly arrested in the area.

As of press time yesterday, Sanchez’s men had yet to bring the two suspects to the NPD headquarters.

Police sources said that two men were arrested at an apartment along Durian street in Barangay Potrero for alleged vote buying in favor of a local congressional candidate for P500.

In Navotas, police said they have documented that some people are giving P500 to residents of poor areas in the city to vote for certain candidates for the city council, though no arrests have been made.