Members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) kidnapped candidates who were returning from their campaign sortie in Agusan del Sur province in restive Mindanao, according to the police.
Police said the candidates, all re-electionists for a seat in the municipal council of the town of La Paz, Agusan del Sur were aboard a vehicle while returning from a rally in a remote village when they were stopped by the insurgents.
Police added the rebels shot and wounded one of the candidates, identified as Councilor Alvin Arguelles, when he tried to escape.
Police said they were looking into the possibility the candidates were kidnapped for their failure to pay a fee that would enable them to campaign in areas controlled by the NPA, the armed component of the Communist Party of the Philippines that has been waging a Maoist-style insurgency against the government for more than 45 years.
Security officials have accused the Maoists of amassing huge amounts every election time by imposing campaign fees on candidates especially those running for provincial and local positions like congressmen, governors, mayors and councilors.
Also in Mindanao, armed men launched simultaneous attacks on six public schools buildings in Maguindanao province that were to be used as election precincts in the coming May 9 polls.
Police said no deaths or injuries were reported but residents panicked and fled as the suspects fired at the school buildings with grenades and anti-tank rockets.
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