Violence in south, cash seizure in Cebu cast shadow on May 12 polls
MANILA, Philippines — Deadly violence in the south and a massive cash seizure in the central Philippines have cast a shadow over the country’s already tense midterm elections on Monday, May 12.
A day before the vote, at least two people were killed in a clash between rival political supporters in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Philippine Army said Monday. The Basilan provincial disaster office reported four dead.
The Philippines has a long history of election-related violence. In the south, for one, rival clans and political groups often clash during hotly contested races.
Security forces have been on heightened alert nationwide, with 163,000 police officers deployed to guard polling stations and checkpoints. Thousands more from the military and other agencies are assisting efforts to keep the peace.
Police say at least 16 people — including a city council candidate, a polling officer, and a village chief — were killed in separate incidents leading up to election day.
On Saturday, a candidate for municipal councilor was among two armed men killed in a shootout with police and soldiers.
In Cebu. That same day, authorities arrested a group of men at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport attempting to transport P441 million (nearly $8 million) in cash — a violation of election rules intended to prevent vote-buying.
Lapu-Lapu City Police Office said Chinese and Malaysian nationals along with two Filipino accomplices were arrested at the airport's general aviation area.
The cash was concealed in seven trolleys.The suspects claimed that it came from casino winnings after several days of gambling in the city. — Reports from Agence France-Presse and The Freeman
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