Philippine police beefs up forces in 8 provinces against election-related violence

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will beef up its forces in at least eight more provinces most likely to be tagged as election hotspots, the police said on Tuesday.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon ordered more policemen sent to Nueva Ecija, Masbate, Western Samar, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Basilan, Cagayan, and Isabela, said PNP Spokesman Samuel Pagdilao Jr.

The eight areas had "more election-related violence" because of intense political rivalry and the presence of armed groups, said Pagdilao.

Pagdilao said these are aside from nine provinces earlier tagged as "areas of immediate concern" in the Cordillera Autonomous Region and Ilocos. The nine provinces are: Cagayan, Isabela, Abra, Nueva Ecija, Masbate, Western Samar, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, and Basilan.

Senatorial, Congressional and Local elections are to be held in the Philippines on May 14. Last week, the police said 11 people have been killed since the election period began Jan. 14.

Source: Xinhua