Marines who spurned Sulu pols’ bribe offer to be cited

By: Victor Reyes

Malaya, Wednesday, 02 June 2010

MARINES commandant Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban yesterday
said there were attempts by local candidates in Sulu
to bribe at least three soldiers stationed in the
poll precincts during the May 10 elections but all
of them failed.

Sabban will fly to Sulu today to give medals to
the three soldiers for displaying professionalism
and dedication to their job.

Marines spokesman Capt. Alden Gwyn Amargo said
the soldiers are being honored "for gallantly
protecting the integrity of the election by
fervently refusing acts of bribery.

Amargo quoted Marine Battalion Landing Team 5
chief Lt. Col. Camilo Balutan as saying that
there were "numerous instances" where the
attempted bribery took place at the polling
precincts in Patikul town, Sulu.

"They offered huge amounts to the Marines in
exchange of leaving the precincts so that
the unused ballots might be filled up in
favor of their candidates. Apparently,
all security personnel who were detailed
in Kaumpang Elementary School were being
insinuated for monetary concessions," said Amargo.

Amargo said Pfc. Rhomel Divina was offered
P100,000 by a campaign leader for him to
leave the Maligay polling precinct as
there were lesser number of voters coming
in on the afternoon of May 10 "so he and
his cohorts could fill up the more than
three hundred remaining ballots for his candidate."

"Hindi mababayaran ng pera mo ang serbisyo ko,"
Amargo quoted Divina as telling the campaign
leader. "Put to shame, the campaign leader
left him alone, Divina continued securing
the area and courageously prevented impending
acts of cheating the elections," said Amargo.

At the Baunoh Bangkal precinct, Amargo said
another campaign leader approached S/Sgt.
William Magpili for the tampering of at
least 168 ballots. "Magpili turned down the
offer and made sure that the ballots were
secured," he said.

Amargo said similar awards will also be
given to other Marines deployed in other
precincts who refused any attempt
of bribery.