Philippines political violence leaves 21 dead!
MANILA, Philippines - November 23, 2009 - Twenty-one politicians and journalists who were abducted in the southern Philippines have been found dead.
The group was seized on the island of Mindanao by armed men as they tried to file nomination papers for a candidate in local elections next year.
More members of the group are missing, feared dead.
Elections in the Philippines are often marred by violence, particularly in the south, where clashes connected to local rivalries and insurgencies erupt.
The country is to hold nationwide elections in May 2010. Registration for local and national races began earlier this month.
Jesus Dureza, adviser to President Gloria Arroyo in the volatile Mindanao region, said it was "a gruesome massacre of civilians unequalled in recent history".
He recommended that a state of emergency be imposed in the area.
In a statement, Mrs. Arroyo condemned the violence and said no effort would be spared to find those responsible.
"Civilized society has no place for this kind of violence," she said.
The group was seized on the island of Mindanao by armed men as they tried to file nomination papers for a candidate in local elections next year.
More members of the group are missing, feared dead.
Elections in the Philippines are often marred by violence, particularly in the south, where clashes connected to local rivalries and insurgencies erupt.
The country is to hold nationwide elections in May 2010. Registration for local and national races began earlier this month.
Jesus Dureza, adviser to President Gloria Arroyo in the volatile Mindanao region, said it was "a gruesome massacre of civilians unequalled in recent history".
He recommended that a state of emergency be imposed in the area.
In a statement, Mrs. Arroyo condemned the violence and said no effort would be spared to find those responsible.
"Civilized society has no place for this kind of violence," she said.
