MANILA The main candidates to be president of the Philippines voiced fears of cheating in Monday's national election as a heated campaign that has killed dozens ended on Sunday to the sound of gunfire. In an unprecedented meeting of candidates and officials called by outgoing President Fidel Ramos to cool political passions, one presidential aspirant complained a jailed murder suspect had been let loose in his town to terrorize his supporters.

It is not only our political maturity that will be put to the test in the coming election. It will also be a gauge of how we truly value our democracy, Ramos said. The eyes of the world will be upon us tomorrow. Mr president, the question is can democracy survive here? businessman Jose Concepcion, head of a citizens' poll watchdog group, said.

The armed forces and the police have declared a nationwide alert to prevent violence when Filipinos go to the polls to elect more than 17,000 officials, from president and senators down to congressmen and local councillors. At least 27 people have died and 35 have been injured in political violence during the three-month campaign, a typical toll for a Philippines election.

Gunfire was still crackling early on Sunday hours after the official campaigning ended. One person was wounded when gunmen opened fire and threw a grenade at the house of a candidate for the vice mayorship of the southeastern town of Paracale. (Reuter)