ARRESTED FOR COERCION. Four persons, who allegedly coerced a supporter of a reelectionist mayor in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija, were arrested on Sunday (May 12, 2019). Aliaga is one of the eight towns in the province declared as "hotspots" this election (Photo by Marilyn Galang)
ALIAGA, Nueva Ecija -- Four persons, including a minor, were arrested after allegedly coercing a supporter of reelectionist Mayor Gonzalo Moreno in Barangay Bucot here at about 6 p.m. Sunday.
Major Jaime Ferrer, town police chief, identified the suspects as Gilbert Valencia, 42, resident of Barangay Poblacion West 3; Carlito Trinidad, 52, of Barangay Sto. Rosario; Rodney Santos, 20, and a 17-year-old minor, both of Barangay La Purisima, all in this municipality.
The victim, on the other hand, was Agnes Hermano, 52, a resident of Barangay Bucot.
Investigation showed that the suspects, on board two motorcycles without license plates and wearing face masks, went to Hermano's house and asked her to go with them to the village hall.
"Takot na takot po ako dahil hindi ko sila kilala (I was terrified because I do not know them)," Hermano said.
She said she told the men that if the call was official, village peacekeepers should fetch her instead.
The suspects allegedly accused her of "planning to buy votes later."
At this juncture, Hermano managed to call the attention of roving policemen, who arrested the suspects.
Locked in jail, the suspects are facing light coercion charges, Ferrer said.
Aliaga is one of eight towns in this province declared as hotspots this election. (PNA)
