Liquor ban arrests, and numerous harassment and vote buying complaints were lodged in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental on Sunday ahead of Election Day on Monday, May 12.
Bacolod Election Officer Revo Sorbito said the Comelec along with the police and the 79th IB Masaligan Batallion soldiers arrested 32 liquor ban violators in barangays Mandalagan and Alijis in Bacolod City on Sunday.
The liquor ban prohibits the sale, purchase, and consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places until Monday to help ensure a peaceful and orderly election.
Sorbito said his office also received numerous complaints of vote buying on Sunday but every time they went to the areas where they were reported to be happening the suspects were gone.
Assistant Elections Regional Director Jossil Macute of the Negros Island Region said if there are pictures or complaints of alleged vote buying, they should be accompanied by affidavits otherwise such allegations will be considered hearsay at the Prosecutor’s Office.
“So far there have been no major untoward incident, we are keeping our fingers crossed that the situation will remain calm on Election Day so the people can peacefully cast their votes,” Macute said.
Complaints of harassment against Asenso supporters were lodged in Silay City and Talisay City on Sunday.
Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez condemned the reported acts of harassment in parts of the Third District of Negros Occidental, including Silay and Talisay.
”With election day just a day away, we urge the PNP and COMELEC to take decisive action to protect peace, order, and the will of the people,” Benitez said in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Sunday.
“To all candidates: now is the time to lead with integrity, not intimidation. To all voters: stand your ground, protect your voice, and vote with courage. Democracy is strongest when fear has no place,“ he said.
A resident of Barangay Concepcion, Talisay City, filed a complaint before the police against a man allegedly claiming to be from the Comelec attempting to enter her store on Monday afternoon.
Two residents in Barangay Guinhalaran, Silay City, also filed a complaint before the police against a group of men on board a white pickup who also allegedly harassed them.*