Quezon City, Philippines, May 17, 2007 / 09:40 am
Church groups worked with local citizens to decrease violence during this year’s elections in the Philippines, held May 14.
In a May 15 press statement, National Police Chief Oscar Calderon said the number of violent incidents during the 2007 election totaled 217; there were 249 incidents in 2004 and 269 in 2001.
Bishop Joel Baylon of Masbate told UCA News that he was "grateful" politically motivated killings in Masbate province were "not as bad" as in the 2004 national elections.
The province, comprising a few small islands southeast of Manila, recorded 15 fatalities during this year's election period, compared with 24 in 2004.
Bishop Baylon said his diocese continues to condemn the "culture of violence in the province" and will intensify its efforts to help educate the people.