Saturday, January 9, 2010

Rising Tensions

BBC News - Security boosted in Philippines ahead of May elections

The Philippines has a long history of political violence. Society is awash with firearms - both licensed and unlicensed - and dominated by rich and powerful families, many with their own private armies.

There is even a well-known local saying that election results depend on which candidates have the most guns, goons and gold.

More than 120 people were killed during the course of legislative and local elections in 2007, when there was a similar ban on firearms. Almost 200 died in 2004's presidential, legislative and local elections.

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