Philippines political violence leaves 21 dead

[Nebraska Red]

BBC News

 

After the religous stoning for adultery in Somalia, we now have 21 dead for trying to nominate someone for mayor in the Phllipines.

 

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.

 

"Civilised society has no place for this kind of violence," she said.

 

Clan leader

 

According to local reports, the group was abducted early on Monday while on its way to an election office in Maguindanao province to file nomination papers for a local mayor, Ismael Mangudadatu.

Edited November 23, 2009 by Nebraska Red

[Des]

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[Nebraska Red]

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[Knox_Harrington]

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