Violation of Omnibus Election Code charged against Barangay, SK candidates in Payao and Naga municipalities in Zamboanga Sibugay province

By HIROHITO ‘Jong’ D. CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (May 15, 2018) – The two Barangay Kagawad candidates of Barangay Katipunan in Payao municipality and 6 SK candidates of Barangay Crossing Santa Clara in Naga municipality in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay were arrested during the enforcement of Election Laws Monday morning for violation of Omnibus Election Code.

Naga Municipality

Six Sangguniang Kabataan candidates were arrested by the Provincial Election Supervisor of Zamboanga Sibugay Atty. John Paul B. Cubero together with elements of Naga MPS for violation of article 10 (Campaign and Election Propaganda), section 89 of Omnibus Election Code.

 

Atty. Cubero identified the SK candidates as:

        -Nordin Camano Awid, 23 years old, male, single,

-Rasty Supremo Burgos, 21 years old, male, single,

-Jues Villanueva Villaflor, 19 years old, single,

-Lovely Mae Albiso Cuarte, 20 years old, single, female,

-Jessa Aizel Villanueva Solano, 19 years old, female single and

-Ruby Antecristo Camay, 19 years old, female, single all residents of Brgy Crossing Sta. Clara, Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay.

PO1 Arnel P. Decierdo, Investigator on case disclosed that they were arrested while the Provincial Election Supervisor conducted inspection in relation to the ongoing Barangay and Sanggunian Kabataan Election (BSKE) particularly in the premises of Crossing Sta Clara School campus where election was held at Purok 1, Brgy Crossing Sta. Clara in Naga municipality of Zamboanga Sibugay Province.

In the initial investigation said that the suspicious persons was seen inside the vehicle (Van) parked inside the premises Crossing Santa Clara Elementary School, upon verification  from the police personnel it was found-out that the persons inside are SK candidates and their vehicle with  Plate Number JVD 569 has no Certificate of Registration (CR).

Provincial Election Supervisor said that the presence of the SK candidates is a violation of article 10 (Campaign and Election Propaganda) and those candidates for staying close to the voting center have violated section 89 of Omnibus Election Code.

The arrested persons are now under the custody of Naga MPS for proper disposition.

Payao Municipality
Two Barangay Kagawad candidates were arrested by the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Mobile Force Company Quick Response Team together with Municipal Election Officer Judito B. Martinez during the enforce Election Laws Monday May 14, 2018 at about 7:00am.

A concerned citizen reported to Payao MPS that there were number of persons embarked in a sea craft docked at the fishing port of Poblacion, Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay Province and then rode on an Isuzu Forward truck with plate number ABN 8493 waiting at said place.

Immediately upon receipt, Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Mobile Force Company Quick Response Team proceeded to the area to enforce Election Laws in coordination with the Municipal Election Officer Judito B. Martinez.

The MEO instructed to intercept the said cargo truck loaded with number of persons and to bring it to the Police Station for inquiry and investigation whether or not it committed a violation as provided under the Omnibus Election Code.

Initial investigation disclosed that the said Isuzu Forward truck is owned and registered in the name of Joenard Bongcawel a resident of Barangay Katipunan, Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay, an incumbent Barangay Kagawad and a candidate for barangay election 2018. Ryan Rey Viernes Enerlan, 30 years old, married and a resident of Brgy, drove the vehicle, a resident of Katipunan, Payao, with his truck man/helper identified as Ricardo Rasula Fuso, 30 years old, single and resident of same barangay.

Also with them is incumbent Barangay Kagawad Gina Lomongo, also a candidate for barangay election 2018, but during the process, the latter disappeared.

The truck owner ordered/instructed his driver to transport voters to the polling place of their barangay.

Found in the possession on the driver during body search yielded a lighter with sticker printed with the face and name of a candidate (Fernando “Andy” Pañares) with one (1) piece Fifty Peso and one (1) piece Twenty Peso bills tied with a rubber band.

Said persons are now under the temporary custody of Payao MPS while proper charges and readied against them for Violation of Section 89 of the Omnibus Election Code.

Investigator is PO3 Rowell Abando Torralba with CP # 09973349284