Comelec taps NBI to probe ‘cops tearing ballot’ video

THE Commission on Elections tapped the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe a viral video, which showed alleged policemen tearing shaded ballots used in the May 9 polls.

Comelec Commissioner George M. Garcia said they hope NBI can help them in verifying the video as well as determine where it was shot.

He noted that they got conflicting reports on where the alleged destruction of the ballots transpired.

“There was an election lawyer, who texted me a while ago saying it was in Cebu. Then there was a reporter here who said it is in Cotabato City...that is why I have to refer that to the NBI to determine where it happened and if these are actual police or just pretending to be police,” Garcia said in a press conference on Wednesday.

“We have to first determine this. We cannot yet accuse the PNP [Philippine National Police]. It is so unfair because it might not be their personnel involved,” Garcia said.

Acting Comelec spokesman John Rex C. Laudiangco said the Comelec Committee on the Ban of Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP) is currently looking into the matter.

He said they are also coordinating with PNP for their investigation.

The viral video showed two men wearing police uniforms holding a pile of ballots with some shaded ovals inside a room.

Both were seen tearing the said ballot while being recorded on video. Aside from the identity of the people involved, Garcia said they will also check if the ballots in the video were official ballots used in the May 9, 2022 polls or merely used for testing purposes.

Laudiangco said they will give updates on the case to the public once it becomes available.