ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 28 -- Authorities are closely monitoring the security of a governor and several mayors in the Zamboanga Peninsula region as they face threats to their lives, a top police official said Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Neil Alinsangan, Police Regional Office (PRO) 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) director, withheld the identities of the governor and mayors who have received death threats.

There are three elected governors, five city mayors, and 67 municipal mayors within the PRO-9's area of responsibility.

"It would be best if we will not identify them for their protection," Alinsangan said, pointing out that in most instances, the threat against elected government officials is related to politics.

He said elected officials from nearby...