Lanao Sur election death toll now 6; disorderly conduct of polls noted

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/11 May) – Six persons have been killed in election related violence in Lanao del Sur, a poll watchdog said.

Ibrahim Salic, head of Citizens Coalition for ARMM Responsible Election (Citizen’s CARE) reported that three were killed in an encounter Monday between armed men and soldiers in Kapai.

Salic said the casualties were a police officer, one of the armed men and a certain Salem Sarip who was caught in the crossfire.

Also on Monday, Bolke Panda, 12, died when an M70 grenade launcher exploded in Tugaya town while Aslia Panda, 19, was hit with M17 bullets. Panda was declared dead at the Amai Pakpak Provincial Hospital.

Algamar Latiph a resident of Tugaya and member of the Muslim Youth Professionals (MYP) said he was horrified at the fact that politics could make some people in his town resort to violence.

Latip himself barely escaped death when a M79 launcher exploded. [More at MindaNews]

also posted at Vera Files.

Related story is posted at Malaya (with correction that my complete name is not Victoria M. Gloria as posted but Violeta M. Gloria:

Old-Style Violence in Lanao Sur despite automated poll