GUNMEN MASSACRE 21 HOSTAGES IN PHILIPPINES
Gunmen have slaughtered at least 21 people in the Philippines, beheading and mutilating some of the victims.The massacre was apparently carried out to prevent a woman filing her husband's election nomination, the country's army has said.

Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner said the bodies of 13 women and eight men have been found in the area where about 30 people were taken hostage.

He said: "We believe more bodies are buried. Unfortunately, the killing happened before our troops got there."

Military officials said the dead included Genalyn Tiamzon-Mangudadatu.

She was on the way to file her husband's nomination to contest the governorship of Maguindanao province against Datu Andal Ampatuan, the head of a powerful local family.



The wife had been accompanied by two lawyers, several members of her family and some journalists.

The southern Philippines are gripped by fierce clan rivalries, including one between the Mangudadatus and the Ampatuans.

Many politicians and elected officials in the region maintain well-equipped private armies.

Mr Ampatuan has been elected governor of Maguindanao three times previously, always unopposed.

But he resigned from the position earlier this year, apparently to circumvent term limits on elected officials.

The election process for the May 2010 national polls began last week with the filing of candidacies for more than 17,800 national and local positions.

Voting in the Philippines is usually marred by violence, especially in the south of the country, where security forces are battling communist rebels, Islamic radicals and the clan rivalries.
Last Updated: 2009-11-23 13:32:16

Next Story
Prev Story