Cops hunt down 3 linked to gun suspect tasked to monitor vote-buying in Pasay
At A Glance
- Pasay City Police conducts follow-up operation for the arrest of three other suspects following the arrest of their cohort to do monitoring and documentation of vote-buying.
Operatives of the Pasay City Police are conducting a follow-up operation to arrest three individuals connected to a man who was arrested for gun possession while allegedly monitoring vote-buying activities in the city on May 8.
Col. Joselito de Sesto, Pasay City Police chief, said the arrested man, identified as “Elias,” a resident of Las Piñas City, was nabbed by police officers from MOA Police Community Precinct.
Authorities apprehended him at around 4:30 a.m. in front of the Petron Gasoline Station on Macapagal Boulevard in Barangay 76, after receiving reports through their group chat about a motorcycle-riding armed man roaming and acting suspiciously around the city.
Upon the arrest, officers recovered from the suspect a .40 Glock 23 GENS pistol loaded with a magazine containing 13 live bullets and two additional magazines.
Further inspection of the suspect's motorcycle compartment revealed some photos and videos of barangay officials and the Pasay City Hall.
During a media presentation, Elias claimed that an individual known as “Jay” had directed him and allegedly paid him P10,000 a day to monitor a supporter of the mayoral candidate rivaling Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano and document alleged vote-buying activities.
De Sesto said with the arrest of Elias, the entire Pasay City Police force was on alert to ensure the conduct of an orderly and peaceful May 12 midterm election on Monday.
“Hindi natin papayagan na guluhin ng sinumang indibidwal o grupo ang halalan natin dito sa Pasay. (We will not allow any individual or group to disrupt the conduct of elections here in Pasay City) We will implement the long arm of the law against these perpetrators. “ he said.
The suspect is now detained at the Pasay City Police custodial facility and faces charges for violating Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act ) in relation to RA 7166 (Omnibus Election Code).