3 POSING AS COMELEC EMPLOYEES ARRESTED IN LAGUNA

THREE persons posing as  employees of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) were arrested in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Laguna Police Provincial Director Col. Ricardo I. Dalmacia identified the suspects as alias “Noli, Joel and Jose,” all residents of Quezon, City.

Initial probe showed the suspects allegedly introduced themselves as staff members of the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila and were conducting inspection of the automated counting machines (ACMs) at Silangan Elementary School in Sta. Cruz.

One of the suspects even presented an identification card from the Comelec ‘s Task Force “Kontra Bigay.”

The local police reported the incident to acting election officer Patrick Arbilo, who verified the identities of the three.

The election officer found out the suspects are not working under the Comelec and are not legitimate employees of the poll body, leading to the arrest.

RAPS FILED

Meanwhile, the Comelec has filed charges of usurpation of authority and falsification of public documents against the arrested suspects.

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia on Wednesday made the announcement at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

Garcia said the Comelec is willing to extend a hand of peace to the three suspects but with the condition that they will reveal who is behind the ‘modus’ or what is the real purpose why they were in that place.

The Comelec chief expressed belief that the suspects were not just taking pictures of the automated counting machines.

Authorities have yet to determine the suspects’ motive but said the three may be among those who are promising “election win” to candidates in exchange of huge sum of money.