Security forces on alert ahead of tense Philippine elections

MANILA: Security forces fanned out across the Philippines Sunday on the eve of national polls, following a vicious and deadly election campaign dominated by presidential favorite Rodrigo Duterte's threats to kill thousands of criminals.

Surveys show Duterte, mayor of the southern city of Davao, has a clear lead in Monday's presidential elections as millions of voters embrace his threats to unleash security forces in an unprecedented crime spree, and shut down Congress if lawmakers oppose him.