CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, (PNA) — An imprisonment of up to six years awaits 18 persons in Eastern Visayas after they were caught violating the liquor ban in connection with the barangay elections held on Monday.
Eastern Visayas Police Chief Supt. Elmer R. Soria said that as of 12:00 midnight Monday, there were 20 people, including two minors, who were arrested for violating the liquor ban that was implemented effective October 27-28 as per Commission on Elections Resolution No. 9715.
“The ban on alcoholic beverages helped quell tensions among candidates and their supporters and prevented occurrence of untoward incidents that could have disrupted the electoral proceedings,” said Soria.
He informed that the arrested violators would face a penalty ranging from one year up to six years imprisonment, removal of right to vote, and disqualification from public office.
PRO 8 data disclosed that seven persons were rounded by the police on Sunday and 13 to already include five seamen and two minors on the day of the elections.
The arrested liquor ban violators were detained at police stations lock-up cells except for the two minors who were turned over to the Tacloban City social welfare office.