ILOILO City – The midterm elections in Iloilo City and the rest of Western Visayas on May 13 were generally peaceful due to the cooperation of the public and concerned government agencies, according to Brigadier General John Bulalacao, director of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).
There were no major election-related incidents, said Bulalacao.
The early mobilization of 11,824 police personnel certainly helped, coupled with the assistance extended by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard, he added.
“We are thankful kahit na may mga reported vote-buying at mga problema sa vote-counting machines and voters’ registration verification machines,” said Bulalacao.
Since the election period started on Jan. 13, police units across the region were able to apprehend 37 persons for violating the liquor ban and 474 for violating the gun ban.
Policemen were also able to confiscate 1,189 assorted firearms, 142 deadly weapons (bladed) and 10 explosives.
Bulalacao said the PRO-6 received 129 text messages alleging vote-buying but only 28 violators were apprehended and P159,890 cash seized./PN
