PNP admits difficulty in stopping vote buying due to lack of men

May 6, 2019

The Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Monday said they do not tolerate  vote buying but Police General Oscar Albayalde, the PNP head, said they cannot assure they can stop those who will do this

“As early as now, we have received several allegations of vote buying from one party to another… I think the community has a big participation on this and of course the voter themselves,” Albayalde said in a press briefing.

Albayalde said voters should report to them and hand in their evidence of  vote buying. He cited the latest incident in Bacoor, Cavite were 10 persons were arrested.

“Like what happened in Bacoor, Cavite, we need to arrest who is giving the money, who is receiving and who is ordering to give money,” he said.

“Remember, vote buying happens almost everywhere… Definitely we cannot secure the whole place, in one area of responsibility because of lack of personnel,” he added.

Albayalde said they will try to maximize their deployment as vote buying occurs the night before the election.

“We assured the public of that. What we cannot assure is the possibility that some may conduct those act,” he said.

Albayalde said it’s hard to prove vote buying as some candidates can deny.

“We have not seen (someone) being convicted because of vote buying but we file cases against them,” said Albayalde.

He said the joint operation last Saturday that resulted in the arrest of alleged suspects of vote buying shows the resolve of the PNP to implement laws and resolutions of the Comelec during the election period.

“Contrary to what was misunderstood that we tolerate and encourage vote buying, we will never allow any illegal act of vote buying and we will implement all election laws without fear and favor,” said Albayalde. Ella Dionisio/DMS