220 cops deployed in Abra

MANILA, Philippines - At least 220 policemen were deployed yesterday in six towns considered as “critical areas” in Abra, as the Cordillera police tightened security in the province in the run-up to the May 10 polls.

Chief Superintendent Villamor Bumanlag, Cordillera police director, said the towns of Bangued, La Paz, Tineg, Danglas, Dolores and Villa Diciosa were tagged as poll hot spots because of intense political rivalry there and their history of election-related violence.

“The additional policemen would serve as augmentation forces. They were directed to go hard after private armies of politicians and prevent them from initiating violence,” Bumanlag said.