MAGPET, Cotabato Province (May 11) – Police in Magpet, Cotabato Province responded to a report of an abandoned pick-up truck loaded with sacks of rice and sample ballots in Sitio Lobas, Barangay Amabel, around 10:00 AM on May 10, just two days before the election.
Acting on orders from PMaj Adulsalam Mamalinta Jr., Chief of Magpet Police Station, officers located the vehicle and brought it to the station after no one came forward to claim ownership.
Upon investigation and verification with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), it was confirmed that the vehicle belongs to a political candidate.
Although no actual distribution of rice was documented, the police later released the vehicle and the rice to the owner, who is running for councilor in Magpet.
In response, police issued a stern warning to both residents and candidates to refrain from any form of distribution during the election period, as this may be considered vote buying or vote selling—an election offense punishable by imprisonment.
PMaj Mamalinta Jr. also urged the people of Magpet to stay vigilant and report to authorities or the COMELEC any observed acts of distributing rice, canned goods, or money, promising swift action on such reports.
