Asia-Pacific News
Mayor, five others charged in Philippines' poll-related killing
Apr 22, 2010, 7:27 GMT
Manila - An eastern Philippine town mayor, his two police escorts and three civilians were charged Thursday for killing a supporter of a rival candidate ahead of the May 10 elections, a police report said.
Police investigators filed criminal charges against Judd Lanete, mayor of Placer town in Masbate province, his two police escorts and three alleged accomplices, for the killing of Carlo Cencero on April 18.
The charges were filed with the office of state prosecutor in Masbate, the report said.
Investigators said witnesses identified one of the police escorts of Lanete as shooter of the victim, a staunch supporter of Lanete's opponent in the upcoming elections.
Masbate is a known political hotspot in the Philippines, where violence perpetrated by rival political families erupt every elections.
Police said at least 33 people have been killed in the Philippines since the start of the campaign in January.
In the 2007 elections, 121 people were killed in poll-related violence throughout the country, according to the Philippine non-governmental organization Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms.
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