Suspected rebels 'prove their love for democracy'

Manila: Suspected militants and coup-plotters running for office were among the millions who voted in yesterday's Philippine elections, saying their participation is proof of their love for the democracy that authorities allege they want to destroy.

Three of the suspected rebels were out on bail or court-approved furlough, while one accused coup-plotter was escorted by heavily armed marines from a military barracks to a suburban Manila school to cast his vote - all trailed by journalists.

"By doing this, I can prove that I'm on the good side," said Dawud Tyrone Santos, a suspected Al Qaida-linked militant who voted in his northern hometown of Anda.

Santos, 34, has been suspected by police intelligence officials of membership in a group linked to militant outfits such as the Abu Sayyaf in the southern Philippines and Indonesia-based Jemaah Islamiyah.