Three people claiming to be IT specialists connected to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) were arrested in Marikina City for allegedly offering to “sell victory” in the 2025 elections.

Authorities revealed that Robert Turingan, a mayoral candidate in Enrile, Cagayan and his vice mayoral running mate, Karen Kaye Tavas Turingan, reported the suspects to the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) after the suspects allegedly offered to ensure their election win for P90 million.

The suspects also claimed to have access to the automated election results.

Following the complaints, the CIDG conducted an entrapment operation with one of the complainants meeting the suspects at a Marikina City mall to deliver the payment. After the suspects received the money, CIDG personnel made the arrests.

Recovered from the suspects were a brown envelope containing one genuine P1,000 bill mixed with counterfeit money, identification cards, mobile phones and a vehicle.

The suspects face charges of robbery with intimidation or violence/robbery extortion, violating the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, according to the CIDG.