Philippines:Elections 2007 violence ‘bad but not worse than 2004′- PNP

As Filipinos are to vote for 12 senators, more than 200 congressional representatives and some 17,000 local positions.

[]“… PNP observes downtrend in poll-related violence
Philippine Information Agency, Philippines - by A. Lumaque. Roxas City (30 April) — A downtrend in election-related violence in the country has been noted by the Philippine National Police in view of …[]

The Philippines National Police per media reports has seen and is warning of an escalation in violence as polls near.

One person killed, six wounded in shooting in Philippines

Two dead, 14 wounded in shootout in northern Philippines

One wounded, two missing in new Philippine political attack

Gunmen open fire at political rally in Philippines; six wounded

In the last elections here in 2004 – the political process has traditionally been marked by election related violence. In 2004 during the presidential and national elections, more than 140 people were killed in various shootings, attacks and clashes related to the polls.

Also in the mix has been the reality that ‘third party’ groups on the fringes often use the attention diversion of Police and Military to carry out acts – such as the Dos Palmas Kidnapping – In 2001 that Terror attack was timed with the polls as the abu sayyaf used the vacuum of attention to strike.

Even now on Jolo Island heavy fighting is ongoing and in other areas stepped up attacks by insurgent and terror groups have seen an upsurge – in some cases related to the elections – leading some suspect that some local political groups are tapping or allowing themselves to be used by ‘rebel’ groups or funding those actions or so the Military and Police suspect.

PNP hunts suspect in shooting of San Carlos City mayor

1,200 police officers to patrol Manila on Labor Day

Congressional bet Solema Jubilan accidentally shot by aide

Amidst this – Police warn of more hostilities as the election day nears as political rivalries intensify. Even however with the current level of reports of killings and violence with two weeks to go til the polls – the situation if looked at on the basis of investigated killings shows 28 election related deaths since January – although a increase in the number of incidents – less deaths than the 2004 polls with tywo weeks to go.