Political rivalry linked to Philippines massacre

Manila: At least 21 people, including 13 women, abducted in the southern Philippines were found dead yesterday, the military said as the attack sent shockwaves across the country.

Journalists, rights lawyers and supporters of a local politician in Maguindanao province were among those murdered, the military and relatives said, linking the massacre to political rivalry.

Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner said 21 bodies had been recovered and that the death toll was likely to rise.

"We believe more bodies are buried and we are trying to recover them," Brawner told the ABS-CBN television network.

A TV report said about 50 people, including the wife and relatives of a vice-mayor along with political allies, mediamen and lawyers were seized by about 100 armed men at a checkpoint.

Manila outraged

"My wife, my sister Mangudadatu town Vice-Mayor Eden, my brother, our followers, two women lawyers and some journalists were attacked by gunmen on the national highway of Old Mag anoy village, Vice-Mayor Ebrahim "Toto" Mangudadatu of Buluan, Maguindanao, told GMA TV network.

Mangudadatu said he had sent them to file his candidacy at the Commission on Elections in Shariff Aguak. He is challenging administration bet Andal Ampatuan in the 2010 governor polls.

"For some time, I was able to talk to my wife over the phone after the abduction," said Mangudadatu.

The government expressed outrage and vowed to bring the culprits to justice. "This is a gruesome massacre of civilians unequalled in recent history," said Jess Dureza, President Gloria Arroyo's adviser on Mindanao. "There must be a stop to this senseless violence. I strongly recommend a state of emergency be imposed in the area and everyone be disarmed."