Security forces on alert ahead of vote

Tens of thousands of security forces fanned out across the Philippines on Sunday on the eve of national polls, following a bitter and deadly election campaign plagued by rampant vote-buying and intimidation.

Elections are a traditionally volatile time in a nation infamous for lax gun laws and a violent political culture, and they have been inflamed again this year by allegations of massive corruption from the local village to presidential level.

"Vote-buying is everywhere," Commission on Elections commissioner Luie Guia told reporters.