MANILA, Philippines--Less than a year before the 2010 elections, the Philippine National Police has already identified election “hot spots” where violence is expected to be prevalent because of intense political rivalries and private armies.

Director General Jesus Verzosa named the areas as the provinces of Sulu, Abra, Nueva Ecija, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, and Maguindanao.

Police will be closely monitoring these areas for possible election-related violence, Verzosa said.

The PNP plans to address election-related violence by limiting the number of security escorts of VIPs to two each; requiring all security escorts to wear a duly-approved uniform; and imposing stricter penalties on unlicensed and unregistered firearms.