Butuan City, May 12, 2025 — Six individuals were arrested in separate operations in Caraga Region for violating the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) liquor ban in effect during the May 12 National and Local Elections.
PBGen Christopher N. Abrahano, Director of Police Regional Office 13, confirmed the arrests and emphasized the police’s commitment to ensuring peace and order during the electoral process.
Based on information from the Regional Election Monitoring Action Center (REMAC) Caraga, four of the suspects—identified only by their aliases Elias, Fel, Nick, and Juv—were apprehended in Barangay Hubang, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. The other two, alias Mayo and alias Leo, were arrested in Barangay White Beach, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands.
The suspects, all of legal age, were found consuming or in possession of alcoholic beverages despite the liquor ban imposed under COMELEC Resolution No. 11057.
“Our investigators are currently preparing the necessary documentation for the filing of appropriate charges against the arrested individuals,” PBGen Abrahano said in a statement.
Violators of the resolution may face penalties ranging from one to six years of imprisonment, permanent disqualification from holding public office, and the loss of the right to vote.
The liquor ban was enforced nationwide from May 11 until the end of election day on May 12 as part of COMELEC’s measures to maintain orderly and safe elections.