Three individuals posing as Comelec IT specialists have been arrested for demanding millions from 2025 midterm election aspirants in exchange for guaranteeing their victory. The CIDG conducted an entrapment operation, leading to the arrest of three suspects, while five others remain at large. The suspects allegedly demanded P90 million from Enrile, Cagayan mayoral candidate Robert Turingan and his daughter, vice mayoral candidate Karen Kaye Tavas Turingan.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group ( CIDG ) arrested three individuals who impersonated Commission on Elections ( Comelec ) IT specialists and demanded millions from 2025 midterm election aspirants in exchange for guaranteeing their victory. The suspects were apprehended in an entrapment operation on Monday, February 10, 2025, in Marikina City. Five more suspects remain at large.
This operation followed complaints from Enrile, Cagayan mayoral candidate Robert Turingan, and his daughter, vice mayoral candidate Karen Kaye Tavas Turingan, who alleged that the group demanded P90 million from them in exchange for assuring their win in the upcoming local elections.In a joint press conference, CIDG Director Brigadier General Nicolas Torre identified the suspects as “professional scammers,” noting that they had established a physical IT solution office to bolster the credibility of their scheme. He further revealed that the group was under investigation for potential illegal operations extending to the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino clarified that the suspects were not affiliated with the poll body and emphasized the integrity of the upcoming elections. She assured the public that the election results are secure and cannot be manipulated. Ferolino urged candidates to exercise caution and avoid falling victim to such schemes, advising them to invest their resources in legitimate campaigning strategies.Robert Turingan, a former municipal mayor of Enrile town who served multiple terms since 1992, shared his experience with the group, disclosing that they had approached him prior to both the 2019 and 2022 elections. He stated that during the 2019 elections, despite his confidence in victory based on his past political record, he did not engage with the group. However, he lost the election. In 2022, the suspects approached him again, claiming to have assisted his rival in the previous election. Turingan revealed that he paid them P5 million to deter them from interfering in the 2022 election. He lost that election as well. This time, they demanded P90 million, but Turingan strategically provided them with P500,000 and then P2 million as bait to facilitate their arrest. He expressed satisfaction, stating that even if he didn't win the election, he felt victorious in having the group apprehended. Charges for robbery with intimidation or violence/robbery extortion and violation of the Omnibus Election Code have been filed against the arrested suspects
Politics Election Scam Comelec CIDG Impersonation Bribery 2025 Midterm Elections Philippines
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