ZAMBOANGA CITY – Combined police units led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-9 arrested a barangay chairman and four other barangay officials in Barangay Dulop, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur Thursday, Aug. 25, for alleged vote-buying activities during the May 2022 elections.

CIDG-9 chief Police Col. Francis Encinareal identified the suspects as Ismael M. Españo, 71, Barangay Dulop chairman; Ronald D. Amamanpang, 40, barangay kagawad (councilor); Edgar G. Sarajena, 46, barangay kagawad; Juliana M. Manos, barangay kagawad; and Evelyn L. Amamanpang, 36, barangay treasurer.
Encinareal said the suspects were arrested for violation of the Omnibus Election Code based on a warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court, 9th Judicial Region.
The accused were detained at the CIDG office in Zamboanga del Sur after their arrest.
They were allegedly involved in vote-buying activities during the May 2022 national and local elections in Barangay Dulop.
The barangay officials and two other female personalities were caught by Dumingag Mayor Joan P. Abejuela preparing white envelopes with cash inside the health center of Barangay Dulop last May 10.
The officials and other persons in the area scampered off after the arrival of responding policemen.
Abejuela turned over P1.9 million in cash, white envelopes, a Tupad workers’ payroll form, voters’ names and precinct numbers, and other documents to the authorities.