5 days to E-Day: The Iglesia vote

Some candidates smelled the air of victory Wednesday after they got wind of the list of candidates the influential Iglesia Ni Cristo would support in the May 14 elections. GMA News' Saksi reported early Wednesday morning that according to the television network's several sources, six candidates from Team Unity (TU), five from Genuine Opposition (GO) and one independent candidate got the blessing of the independent, nontrinitarian Christian church headed by its executive minister Eraño Manalo. The report said the INC would endorse the following TU bets: Ralph Recto, Vicente "Tito" Sotto, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Edgardo Angara, Joker Arroyo and Michael Defensor. Meanwhile, INC will go for the following opposition candidates: Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Francis "Chiz" Escudero, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and Manuel Villar Jr. GMA News said Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan is the independent candidate who got INC's nod. INC officials refused to confirm the report when asked by GMA News. But five of the reportedly INC-endorsed bets - Recto, Sotto, Zubiri, Angara and Lacson confirmed that an INC official contacted them to relay the message that they got the church's endorsement. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, meanwhile, said the INC has thrown its support behind the candidacy of Vilma Santos-Recto for the gubernatorial post in Batangas province. Ermita, Southern Tagalog regional chairman of the ruling party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, told Palace reporters that his daughter Eileen broke the news to him on Wednesday at about 9:30 a.m. He said that Eileen, running for Batangas representative and his son, Edwin, running for vice governor with Santos, were also endorsed by the INC, an influential nontrinitarian Christian church headed by its executive minister Eraño Manalo. Poll violence prompts US to issue travel advisory Noting a pattern of campaign-related violence in this year's elections, the United States advised its nationals to "keep a low profile" to avoid falling victim to poll violence. In an advisory on its website, the US Embassy in Manila also advised its citizens to avoid crowds and exercise caution when near a demonstration. "US citizens should avoid crowds and exercise caution when traveling in the vicinity of a demonstration. As a reminder, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence," it said in its online notice. The advisory came a day after a bomb exploded and killed eight people and injured no less than 28 others in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. Philippine police investigators are now exploring the possibility that the attack was launched by the extremist Jema'ah Islamiyah, which is suspected of serving as a Southeast Asian cell of the al-Qaeda terror network. The US Embassy advisory advised Americans living and working in the Philippines to "reassess their personal security." It likewise warned that a political gathering or other demonstration "could materialize on short notice." "As in previous elections, there has been campaign-related violence this year, often at public gatherings. None of the violence has been directed at westerners or western interests; however, anyone in the vicinity of a political rally or a campaign appearance could be a victim of politically-related violence," it said. The US was the latest country after Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom to warn its citizens to take caution in the Philippines during the election season. As early as March 9, the Canadian embassy warned its citizens of an expected increase in the frequency and size of political rallies, protests, and demonstrations, "as is the potential for violence." Last April 27, the Australian Embassy updated its travel advisory urging its nationals to avoid any demonstrations, protests, rallies or public events "that may turn violent." "Mid-term elections will be held on 14 May 2007. Elections in the Philippines have in the past been associated with politically motivated violence. You should avoid any demonstrations, protests, rallies or other public events as they may turn violent," the Australian Embassy said. Last May 1, the United Kingdom also updated its own advisory warning its nationals of the "potential for politically motivated violence during the election period." It urged its nationals to "take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid large crowds, political gatherings and demonstrations." UK issues travel advisory, too A day after a bomb killed at least eight people in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat, the United Kingdom advised its nationals Wednesday night against all travel to all areas in Mindanao. In its travel advisory updated Wednesday night (Manila time), the UK government indicated it believes that terrorist activity in the Mindanao region is still ongoing. "We advise against all travel to Mindanao because of ongoing terrorist activity," it said on its website www.britishembassy.gov.uk. The advisory was the first following the bombing Tuesday. The United States embassy earlier came out with an advisory that discouraged its citizens from venturing near political gatherings. It cited initial reports that at least three were killed and 21 injured. Police in Sultan Kudarat said Wednesday the death toll had gone up to eight. On the other hand, the UK reiterated its advice against all travel to the Sulu archipelago including Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo, where there are ongoing military and police operations against insurgent groups. "There is a high threat from terrorism throughout the Philippines. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and the intent to carry out these attacks at any time and anywhere in the country. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets in public places including those frequented by foreigners," it said. It added there is a threat of kidnapping from terrorists and criminal elements who plan to kidnap foreign tourists from islands and coastal areas in the southern Philippines, particularly Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago. The UK added kidnappings from other parts of the Philippines cannot be discounted, and that boats traveling to and from offshore islands and dive sites are possible targets. Also, the UK reiterated its advice to stay away from political activities as the May 14 mid-term elections draw near. "Mid-term elections will be held in the Philippines on 14 May 2007. There is the potential for politically motivated violence during the election period. You should take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid large crowds, political gatherings and demonstrations," it said. In advising against all travel to Mindanao, the UK Embassy cited several terrorist attacks in the last 12 months, which included: * A Jan. 10 attack where three bombs exploded in various locations in Mindanao (General Santos City, Kidapawan City and Cotabato City), killing seven people and injuring at least 27 others. * A Jan. 5 attack where a bomb exploded in South Cotabato, Mindanao, injuring two people. * An attack last Oct. 10 where there were two explosions in Mindanao, including one in Tacurong that killed six and wounded 34; and in Makilala (Cotabato Province). On Oct. 11 2006, there was another explosion in Mindanao in Cotabato City. * An attack on June 23 2006, where a bomb exploded in Maguindanao province, killing five and wounding 10. "The Philippine authorities have declared a heightened level of alert in Mindanao and Metro Manila and roadblocks have been activated across Mindanao," it said. - GMANews.TV