Hundred Armed Men Kidnapped 30 People In Southern Philippines

MANILA, TimeIsNews.com - About 100 armed men, believed to be followers of a local politician, kidnapped 30 people in the southern Philippines, Monday. The kidnapping was allegedly motivated to prevent a competitor following the nomination in the upcoming elections.

Col. Jonathan Ponce, a spokesman for the army, told reporters say, a woman who plans to enroll him as a candidate for the provincial governor, two lawyers, and some local journalists were among the kidnap victims in a mountain in the province of Maguindanao in the southern island of Mindanao.

“We sent troops to the area to ease the political tensions there,” said Ponce. “Our mission to liberate the people and prevent the escalation of violence between the two politicians,” he said.

The election process for national elections in May 2010 began last week with a 8000 enrollment stage of national and local positions.

The campaign began in February next year for presidential candidates, vice presidents, and 12 members of Congress.

For those who preyed on the local position and approximately 300 seats in Parliament, the campaign began last March. The election itself will be held on May 10, 2010.

Elections in the Philippines are usually violent, especially in the south of the country, where the security forces are still fighting against the communist rebels, radical Islamic groups, and disputes between clans.