Election hot spots ordered secured

President Arroyo has ordered the police and military to secure potential election hot spots to ensure peaceful and orderly polls on May 10.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo issued the instructions in the aftermath of the bombing of a sports complex in Parang, Maguindanao, which killed 10 people and injured 47 others.

"Even as the motive for the attack is being determined, the President has ordered the PNP and the AFP to come up this early with a comprehensive operational plan to check election hotspots and forestall election-related violence throughout the country," he said.

In a statement, Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo has ordered the Philippine National Police "to leave no stone unturned" in the investigation of the bombing in Parang.

"The early arrest of the perpetrators is imperative so that we can unravel the real motive behind the incident," he said.

"All concerned agencies have also been mobilized to assist the victims and their kin."

The bombing was believed to have been intended to kill Parang Mayor Vivencio Bataga.

One of those killed in the explosion was the suspected bomber.– Marichu Villanueva