Police forms ‘TF-Kontra Bigay’ to combat vote-buying
THE Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO) formed the ‘Task Force Kontra Bigay’ in the province to counter vote-buying and vote-selling in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. initiated the formation of the task force in collaboration with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), with members comprising local police and other law enforcement agencies.
P/Capt. Renan de la Cruz, Pangasinan PPO information officer, said the task force, will deploy both uniformed and plainclothes police officers to conduct covert operations against suspected individuals involved in vote-buying and selling in barangays.
During PIA Pangasinan’s “Pantongtongan Tayo” program last week, De la Cruz emphasized that the task force’s primary mission is to ensure safe, clean, and peaceful elections, providing candidates with an equitable playing field.
He said the presence of plainclothes officers monitoring activities in barangays can deter vote-buying and vote-selling.
Rampant vote-buying
The prevalence of vote-buying being rampant and widespread in the province that ‘pakurong,’ ‘waras’ and ‘bunogan,’ have become bywords to refer to vote-buying activities, from distribution of goods or cash to households in the days leading up to the elections disguised as ‘ayuda’.
Supporters of candidates usually engage in ‘pakurong’ during the late hours of the night delivering money to political leaders who, in turn, distribute it to their trusted allies. The word ‘pakurong’ conveys the idea of moving slowly and discreetly.
Vote buying also includes distribution of plasticware, including laundry tubs and water pitchers, as well as food items like instant noodle packs, cold cuts, fish paste bottles and bread. These items are accompanied by campaign materials or handbills of the candidates and are often left at people’s doorsteps.
De la Cruz added promises of employment, which under the Omnibus Election Code is considered as vote-buying.
Citizen engagement
De la Cruz encouraged citizens to report any instances of vote-buying and vote-selling via text messages to the police. And, he cited the importance of citizen participation that without a formal complaint, cases cannot be filed, and complaints may not succeed in court if withdrawn by the complainant.
While the official campaign period is set to begin on October 19, TF-Kontra Bigay is on a mission to monitor candidates engaging in premature campaigning. (Leonardo Micua)
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