MANILA, Philippines  - The number of private armies continues to grow despite efforts by the Philippine government to disband them ahead of the May 10 elections, a Malacañang-created commission said Wednesday.

Herman Basbaño, a commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Private Armies, said the group has discovered 4 new private armed groups that need to be monitored by government authorities. He declined to say where the 4 groups are operating.

"We expect the number to increase due to election activities, especially in the start of local campaigns. Candidates resort to using these private armed groups. Without the intensified campaign of Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police there could have been more," he told reporters.

The commission, which is headed by retired Court of Appeals judge Monina Arevalo-Zenarosa, also recommended the transfer of PNP provincial directors in Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur due to alleged connections with private armies of local politicians.

It also recommended the transfer of the police chief in Porac, Pampanga for the same reason.

The PNP earlier identified 10 "priority areas" that need closer monitoring during elections. These are La Union, Nueva Ecija, Masbate, Samar, Iloilo, Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Basilan and Sulu.

The commission said it has disbanded a total of 24 private armies while 107 armed groups remain at large.

The commission's term is set to end in June.