Philippines security forces on high alert ahead of polls
Violence continues as voting day approaches
Manila: Security forces went on high alert yesterday as violence continues on the last day of campaigning for tomorrow's elections.
On separate occasions, armed forces deputy chief Lieutenant General Reynaldo Mapagu and Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PNP are ready for the election tomorrow.
"Two days before the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan [Youth Council] elections in the country, the Philippine Army once again reinforces its commitment to ensure that the security of the people is maintained as they exercise their right to vote," the army said.
During voting, the various branches of the armed forces, namely the Army, Air Force and the Navy, as well as the PNP, have been assigned by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to perform election duties.
Checkpoints
PNP spokesman Cruz said the 135,000-strong national police yesterday went on high alert.
The Comelec, the main poll administering body, has mandated the PNP and the armed forces to conduct checkpoints across the country and implement the nationwide gun ban since the elections started on September 25.
Earlier, the PNP identified as election hotspots 2,655 of the total 42,200 villages nationwide.
Despite the ban on unauthorised carrying of firearms, election-related violence continues. The victims were primarily candidates in the polls.
Last Friday, an incumbent village chairman critically wounded a man campaigning in Bayogo.
