Manila, April 14 -- Abra political group Asenso, led by Governor Dominic Valera and his daughter, Vice Governor Joy Valera-Bernos, asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place the province under its control for the May 12 elections.

"By placing Abra under Comelec control, we feel more secured that our supporters can walk freely in a peaceful political environment without fear," Bernos said in a statement submitted to the Comelec on Monday.

Putting Abra under Comelec control, she said, "will allow the deployment of additional personnel, the establishment of monitoring systems and the enforcement of strict regulations to prevent any form of electoral fraud or violence."

The statement enumerated killings in the province that start...