WE’RE READY–PNP chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. meets the press at Camp Crame to assure the public of their readiness to secure the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Monday. With him (from left to right) are PNP Deputy Chief for Operations, Lieutenant Gen. Michael John F. Dubria, PNP Chief Directorial Staff, Major Gen. Emmanuel B. Peralta and PNP Deputy Director for Operations, Brigadier Gen. Chito G. Bersaluna. Photo by Alfred Dalizon
Help us stop vote-buying, PNP chief tells public, media
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. Friday appealed to the people to help the government stop vote-buying and vote-selling on Monday’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
“I appeal to the media, civil society organizations and every concerned citizen to unite with us in the fight against vote-buying and vote-selling.
Kindly relay any information or evidence of such activities to the appropriate authorities. It is your civic duty to assist us in safeguarding the integrity of our elections,” the PNP chief said.
“I would like to assure the public we are committed to ensuring that the upcoming elections will be conducted with transparency, fairness and security.
We take this responsibility seriously, and we will exert every effort to safeguard the sanctity of your vote,” he added.
Acorda said the PNP has launched a massive campaign to prevent vote-buying and selling and are even going after the ‘money trail.’
“It’s (source of money) is part of our plan. We’re happy to report that the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has apprehended suspects and may this serve as a warning to all,” he said.
NCRPO director Brigadier Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. earlier ordered all Metro Manila police districts and stations to further step-up their monitoring of all violations of the Omnibus Election Code including ‘vote-buying and selling’
The NCRPO chief cited their strict enforcement of the NCRPO Oplan: Kontra Bigay’ or drive versus buying and selling of votes in the metropolis even as he commended members of the Navotas City Police Station who uncovered a vote-buying incident inside a sardines factory in Barangay San Jose on Wednesday.
PNP Deputy Director for Operations, Brig. Gen. Chito G. Bersaluna said they are fully assisting the Comelec in enforcing its Oplan: Kontra Bigay’ by establishing ‘Kontra-Bigay Desks in PNP stations where the public can report any incident of vote-buying and selling.
He added that they will also be implementing a ‘money ban’ two days before the election.
Under the plan, people who will be found carrying in public at least P500,000 in small bills will be investigated if they cannot present enough reasons why they are transporting such big amount of cash.
Brig. Gen. Bersaluna said that those found carrying big amounts of cash during the period will have to present proof that they are involved in legitimate business and other transactions like those from the banks and other financial institutions.
The official said that police have no other recourse but to investigate others who will be found carrying large amounts of money inside their vehicles if they won’t be able to justify their business or intention and particularly when they are identified to be working for a candidate.
