Canada warns nationals of RP post-election violence

The risk of post-election violence remains high in the Philippines, the government of Canada warned its nationals, saying they should avoid rallies and headquarters of political parties until a new president is installed next month. “The security situation remains uncertain and the risk of election-related violence remains throughout the country until the Presidential Inauguration scheduled for June 30, 2010," Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada said in a report issued Wednesday. Canadians should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times and avoid any protests, demonstrations and large gatherings, as the situation could deteriorate rapidly," it said. It noted continuing reports suggesting an ongoing terrorist threat to Westerners and Western interests in the Philippines, and reminded Canadians to "avoid all travel" to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The Philippines concluded its first nationwide automated polls on May 10, and is now waiting for the counting of votes to complete and for the Commission on Elections to declare a winner. [See: Eleksyon 2010 Dashboard for the latest tally of votes] The US, UK, Australia, and Canada last week warned their nationals to steer clear of political activities in the Philippines in the run up to May 10. Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police's (PNP) Task Force Honest Peaceful Orderly Elections (HOPE) will stay on alert until the transition to a new administration is complete. Task Force HOPE’s chief PNP deputy director Gen. Edgardo Acuña said in an interview, "Our task force will help in the peaceful transfer of leadership from the old to the new." —VS, GMANews.TV