NCRPO to monitor vote buying

March 28, 2019

The National Capital Region Police Office ( NCRPO) on Thursday ordered police officers to monitor vote buying by unscrupulous candidates until election day as campaign period for local candidates starts Friday.

“This practice is prevalent in local elections and we will be on the lookout for such an activity. I wish to remind the candidates to refrain from vote-buying as this is a criminal act and we shall arrest anybody involved in vote-buying, on the spot,” Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar said in a statement.

Eleazar said the next six weeks of the campaign period will be critical as candidates are expected to be active in Metro Manila as they start wooing voters.

“Local election campaign periods have shown traditionally, that there is more conflict and tension in the air - both physical and emotional - because every single candidate has his/her own rabid camp and followers who are more involved intensely, during this period,” he said.

“There is a probability of clashes amongst the local candidates and his/her followers. In this regard, I urge all involved in the campaign to stay calm and cool, and more importantly, stay right and legal,” he added.

He also reminded all local candidates to properly coordinate with the authorities concerned to secure necessary permits for their political rallies and miting de avance.

“The proper permits and clearances will pave the way for a more secure and orderly gathering for candidates, audiences and the entire neighborhood,” said Eleazar.

Eleazar said they will continue to implement the Commission on Election’s gun ban policy firmly up to the midterm elections period on June 12, 2019 and they will increase the frequency of checkpoints in the metropolis to help deter criminal minds in executing their evil designs.

He told all NCRPO police officers to maintain a non-partisan position in handling political cases and ordered them to observe proper procedure and professionalism when conducting checkpoints.

“I direct all officials and policemen to be fair and just, and to always side with what is right. Let us show all and sundry that the NCRPO is all out in its efforts to uphold the integrity of the midterm elections of 2019,” said Eleazar.

“The public may report discourteous and abusive police personnel to their nearest police station official or to me at NCRPO. I ask the public to be patient and understanding, as our intensified security activities are for the good of everybody,” he said. Ella Dionisio/DMS