Tight race, violence mark beginning of Philippine election campaign

Manila: Campaign posters are up and jingles are blaring at election rallies as the Philippines' richest politician and the son of the democracy icon begin a tight race to succeed scandal-tainted President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

With at least a dozen people already gunned down in the run-up to May elections, political violence has again emerged as a main concern in the aftermath of the November 23 massacre in the southern Philippines, when gunmen loyal to a powerful clan shot dead 57 people on their way to register a gubernatorial candidate.

Police have imposed a nationwide gun ban and set up checkpoints to arrest violators, but spokesman Leonardo Espina said on Tuesday operations to disarm nearly 100 private armies on the payroll of political warlords were still ongoing.