Three die in poll violence

Three die in poll violence

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (Reuter): Three people died and 18 others were wounded in a mortar duel between followers of two Moslem politicians battling in gubernatorial elections in the southern Philippines, the military said yesterday.

The clash erupted on Tuesday night in Jolo, capital of Jolo Island, after a vote count showed incumbent governor Tupay Loong leading his rival, Abdu Sakur Tan, by 11,000 votes.

No winner has yet been proclaimed in the bitterly fought election held on May 8 because of a slow vote count.

Tan, a former congressman, has accused Loong of cheating. Marines were immediately deployed around Jolo to prevent further fighting, southern military commander Maj. Gen. Edgardo Batenga told reporters in Zamboanga city.

Fighting began when Tan's followers shelled Loong's house and the governor's security force fought back with mortars, the military said. Some of the mortars landed in residential areas, killing a married couple and their four-year-old son.