Police probe massive vote-buying in Iloilo
Published May 10, 2025 05:11 pm
ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo Police Provincial Office
has formed a team to probe an alleged massive vote-buying incident in Dueñas town, Iloilo province.
Office of Civil Defense-Eastern Visayas Regional Director Lord Byron Torrecarion was allegedly seen at the site of the incident.
THE area where alleged massive vote-buying occurred on May 9, 2025 in Dueñas town, Iloilo province. (Courtesy of Atty. Marven Daquilanea)
THE area where alleged massive vote-buying occurred on May 9, 2025 in Dueñas town, Iloilo province. (Courtesy of Atty. Marven Daquilanea)
Photos and videos of Torrecarion engaged in a heated argument with the camp of mayoral candidate Mamerto L. Pelopero III and vice mayoral candidate Atty. Kaiser T. Cordero on May 9 have been circulating online.
It was unclear what Torrecarion was doing at the house of a former municipal councilor in Iloilo when he was supposed to be in Tacloban City, Leyte.
The Pelopero-Cordero camp alleged that the camps of incumbent Mayor Robert Pama and Vice Mayor Aimee Paz Lamasan are engaged in vote-buying.
Envelopes containing P1,000 each and sample ballots were allegedly being distributed inside the house of a former municipal councilor.
The Dueñas Municipal Police Station and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-6 responded to quell tensions in the area.
Police only witnessed an ongoing heated argument between the two camps.
Lawmen did not enter the compound of the former municipal councilor as it was reportedly private property.
No arrests were made as no physical evidence was seen by the police.
IPPO chief Police Col. Bayani Razalan reiterated they have to follow operational procedures.