VOTE-BUYING. Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) (standing) serve the arrest warrant against five officials (seated) of Barangay Dulop, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur on Thursday (Aug. 25, 2022) for violation of the Omnibus Election Code. The case against the village officials stems from their alleged involvement in vote-buying activities during the May 9, 2022 national and local elections. (Photo courtesy of CIDG-9)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Five barangay officials were arrested in Zamboanga del Sur province for two counts of violation of the Omnibus Election Code, a police official said Thursday.
Col. John Francis Encinareal, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), said the suspects were arrested through a warrant, in Barangay Dulop, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur on Thursday morning.
Encinareal identified the arrested village officials as Ismael Españo, 71, the barangay chairperson of Dulop; barangay councilors Ronald Amamangpang, 40, Edgar Sarajena, 46, and Juliana Maputi, 41; and barangay treasurer Evelyn Amamangpang, 36.
He said the case against the village officials stems from their alleged involvement in vote-buying during the May 9, 2022 elections.
However, Encinareal did not say who the five arrested barangay officials have campaigned for and supported during the polls.
He said the court of Molave, Zamboanga del Sur, which issued the arrest order dated August 19, has set the bail for each of the accused at PHP36,000 per count.
The suspects were taken to the CIDG-Zamboanga del Sur field office for documentation and proper disposition. (PNA)
