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In pictures: Tensions before Philippine polls

Mid-term elections have the Philippines’ southern island of Mindanao on high alert amid fears of violence.

Election frenzy is high in Mindanao as the Philippines gear up for mid-term polls scheduled for May 13. The streets are lined with campaign flags representing the symbols of different candidates.
By Bijoyeta Das
Published On 12 May 2013

Cotabato City, Mindanao, Philippines – As the Philippines prepare to vote in mid-term polls on May 13, tensions and expectations are rife in Mindanao, the second-largest and the southernmost island of the Philippines. The region has been a hotbed of separatist conflict that has claimed more than 120,000 lives.

The ongoing peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has ended four decades of separatist conflict in the southern Philippines. In addition to national, municipal and provincial posts, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is set to elect a regional governor and one regional vice-governor.

Election-related violence marred the 2010 presidential polls: According to the Philippines National Police, 51 people died in election violence, including candidates and civilians. And in the run-up to the polls, 57 people were killed in what is known as the Maguindanao massacre.

Rido, or clan clashes, which continue to plague the southern Philippines, are further aggravated during election seasons. In one of the bloodiest attacks during the campaigning, gunmen attacked a mayor and his convoy on April 26. This rido attack led to the death of the mayor’s daughter and 12 other supporters; the mayor was injured.

In the latest election incident report, the Philippines National Police (PNP) revealed it has arrested 3,000 individuals at nationwide checkpoints set up by the COMELEC (Commission on Elections). Between January 13 and May 7, the PNP arrested 2,809 civilains and 130 security guards for violating the COMELEC gun ban. A total of 2,972 firearms were confiscated.

 

Election-related violence in the past has prompted the military and the Philippines National Police to beef up security in Mindanao.
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A supporter wears the campaign T-shirt of an independent candidate.
Since January 13, there have been 58 incidents of violence connected to the mid-term polls according to the latest election-related incident report, released by the Philippines National Police. These incidents have resulted in 35 deaths, and 34 have been wounded. 
The elections will fill more than 18,000 posts, including town mayors, governors and members of the parliament. 
The Philippines government has identified 15 high-risk provinces for the polls. These include Abra, Pangasinan, Ilocos, Sur, La Union, Cagayan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Cavite,Masbate, Samar, Misamis Occidental, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and Badilan.
The Commission on Elections passed a "Gun Ban" effective January 13, which bans the bearing, carrying and transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons. The police have recorded more than 1,000 violations nationwide.
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The Commission on Elections had also issued a "Money Ban" to stop vote buying, prohibited the withdrawal of cash, the cashing of cheques and conversion of any monetary instrument into cash between May 8-13 in amounts exceeding 100,000 Philippine pesos ($2,400). But the Supreme Court has halted the ban.
Army checkpoints are common in Mindanao as the island remains on high alert. On April 26, Nunugan mayor Abdulmalik Manamparan and his supporters were ambushed. The mayor was injured and 13 of his supporters were killed.
A civilian guard authorised to carry guns mans a local market in Cotabato City in Mindanao.
Along with Filipino election monitors, more than 30 foreign observers will be watching the polls.