Gov't condemns poll-related violent incidents

MANILA, Philippines - The government today condemned the spate of violent incidents involving politicians who are running for the May 13 mid-term elections and their supporters.

Deputy presidential spokesman Abigal Valte appealed to politicians and their supporters to refrain from engaging in violent behavior.

"We appeal to supporters of different candidates to just campaign for their candidates and to not engage in violent behavior which could discredit their candidates," said Valte in a news briefing.

Malacanang, the presidential palace, issued the statement following an ambush in the southern Philippine province of Lanao del Norte, which killed 15 supporters of the Nunungan township mayor Mike Manamparan. Manamparan himself was also wounded.

The mayor and his supporters were on their way home from a sortie when they were attacked by unidentified gunmen on Thursday night.

Also on Thursday night, another ambush in the northern Philippine province of Cavite killed the brother-in-law of a village chief. The chairman of Queensrow village in Bacoor and her companion were also wounded.

Valte, however, assured that sufficient government forces have been deployed in areas identified by the Commission on Elections as areas of concerns and "hot spots."