A city councilor from Batac and 13 others were arrested on the morning of Sunday, 11 May, following a joint police operation that uncovered an alleged vote-buying activity in Barangay 9, San Pedro, Paoay, Ilocos Norte.
Sources privy to the operation said the arrests stemmed from a tip received by intelligence operatives, prompting a swift response from authorities. Acting on the information, joint elements of the Paoay Municipal Police Station — led by OIC PCPT Jackson Sugayen — the Batac City Police Station, led by PLTCOL Adrian Gayuchan, and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 1 carried out a coordinated surveillance and sting operation.
An undercover operative reportedly managed to blend in with a queue of individuals at the residence of a certain "Emma Blanco." Upon reaching the source, the operative allegedly received a white envelope containing P1,000 and a sample ballot.
After confirming the act, operatives moved in and reportedly caught the suspect in the act of disbursing cash to 13 individuals — all residents of Batac. The group was arrested for suspected violations of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 11104, which prohibits vote buying and selling during the election period.
Barangay officials and representatives from Comelec-Paoay were present to witness the operation. The incident was documented using two alternative recording devices, in accordance with police policy when body-worn cameras are unavailable.
As of press time, it remains unclear why the alleged vote-buying operation was being conducted in Paoay.