117 dead, 124 hurt in poll violence

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — One hundred seventeen people have been killed and 124 hurt in 59 election-related violence nationwide since the start of the campaign period last Feb. 10, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao, PNP spokesman, said the fatalities were 55 political supporters and 62 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

Goltiao said 65 other people have been arrested in 187 violent incidents across the country since the campaign period started.

The NPA remains a serious threat to the peaceful holding of national and local elections on May 10, he added.

On the other hand, PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said police have arrested 1,306 violators of the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) at the start of the election period.

Speaking at the two-day PNP command conference here, Ebdane said police seized 1,048 firearms, explosive devices and other deadly weapons from the gun ban violators.

Ebdane said he discussed specific election problems and security preparations with Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos during the conference.

The conference focused on special security arrangements to thwart any outbreak of violence in the remaining days of the election period and during the nationwide canvassing of votes, Ebdane added.

Ebdane cautioned candidates, particularly those in the countryside, against paying so-called "permit to campaign" fees to the NPA.

During the conference, the National Directorate for Security and Intelligence presented the National Peace and Order situation and the status of the remaining partisan armed groups.

It also validated the list of "election areas of concern."

The PNP has identified 531 cities and municipalities listed as "election areas of concern," and classified 19 localities as "election areas of immediate concern."

It has yet to officially release the list of areas to be given full security in the coming elections.

With representatives from the Civil Service Commission and the National Police Commission, the conference laid out plans on administrative requirements and other internal matters.

Joining the conference are members of the PNP command

group, directorial staff, regional directors and directors of national support units. — With Christina Mendez