POLICE seized around 1,500 sacks of rice loaded into a white trailer truck parked in front of a local barangay official’s house in Purok-6, Manat, Nabunturan, Davao de Oro, on Tuesday, May 6.
Reportedly, the sacks of rice are set to be distributed to residents by a vice-mayoral candidate.
According to the report, at approximately 9:28 a.m., the Nabunturan Municipal Police Station received a report from two concerned citizens regarding the truck with plate number NKG-5849.
The report also alleged the involvement of the barangay police in unloading and distributing the rice.
On Wednesday’s Davao Peace and Security press briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Police Regional Office XI spokesperson, Major Catherine Dela Rey, confirmed the report.
“A violation of Comelec Resolution 1104 occurred in a barangay in Nabunturan, where individuals were caught distributing rice,” Dela Rey said. “The alleged secretary of a vice-mayoralty candidate was reportedly present.”
“We have confiscated the truck loaded with rice. Upon the arrival of our personnel, those queuing to receive the distribution fled, as did those distributing the rice,” she added.
According to the initial report, a crowd already lined up at the back of the barangay chairman’s house to receive the rice.
Upon receiving the report, personnel of the Nabunturan MPS, led by Lieutenant Colonel Eduard Jungco, chief of police, along with the Davao de Oro Police Provincial Office SWAT team, led by Major June Eric Dequito, under the direct supervision of Police Major Norman Yparraguirre, Force Commander of the 1st Davao de Oro Provincial Mobile Force Company, and accompanied by Jomar G. Guboc, Comelec clerk, under the direct supervision of Haneliza A. Villa, Election Officer III of Nabunturan, Davao de Oro, proceeded to the location to verify the information.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered that the rice had already been unloaded at the barangay official’s residence. This resulted in the arrest of the truck driver.
Dela Rey stated that approximately 2,500 sacks of rice were involved, with an estimated 1,000 sacks already distributed and 1,500 sacks confiscated.
When questioned about why the alleged secretary of the candidate was not detained, Dela Rey said the individual managed to evade arrest. The confiscated rice and trailer truck are currently secured at the Nabunturan MPS for documentation and proper disposition.
