Police and military have intensified the drive against illegal weapons in the largely Muslim southern Philippine province of Sulu in the run up to the May 14 local and senatorial elections.

An estimated one million illegal firearms are said to be in the hands of civilians, rebels and private armies in the province, according to the police. Despite the government campaign to curb illegal weapons, the proliferation of firearms in Sulu continue unabated, local officials said.

Most of the weapons, from vintage rifles to recoilless rifles, have been sneaked into the province by arms dealers from as far as Manila and the Abu Sayyaf acquired hundreds of assorted firearms last year.

Former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters, who signed a peace accord with the government in September 1996, still carry their weapons – AK47, machine guns and high-powered automatic rifles – in many villages in the province, authorities here said.

Policemen and soldiers have set up checkpoints in the capital town of Jolo to prevent the entry of firearms, but gunmen still roam the outskirts. Guerrillas freely moved from one village to another, enjoying support from ethnic Muslims and some local officials, who provide them information about the police and military.

Former MNLF rebels, who are armed, also roam freely outside Jolo and have established their own checkpoints and road blocks. The military said many disgruntled MNLF members have joined the Abu Sayyaf group and resorted to kidnappings and banditry.

Police and military authorities here said the Abu Sayyaf and the former MNLF rebels could pose a serious threat to the local and national elections in May. The Abu Sayyaf is expected to finance its own candidates, mostly supporters of the rebel group.

While the former MNLF fighters could be used as private armies and body guards by politicians and individuals, who would be running for public office.