MANILA – Gunmen abducted and killed at least 21 people in the southern Philippines on Monday, apparently to prevent a woman filing her husband’s nomination to run for provincial governor in elections next year, the military said.
Lieut Col Romeo Brawner said the bodies of 13 women and eight men were found in the area where about 30 people were taken hostage.
“We believe more bodies are buried,” Lieut Col Brawner said. “Unfortunately, the killing happened before our troops got there.” Some of the victims were beheaded, and bodies mutilated, local officials said.
Military officials said the dead included Genalyn Tiamzon-Mangudadatu, who was on the way to file the nomination of her husband to contest the governorship of Maguindanao province against Datu Andal Ampatuan, the head of a powerful local family.
She had been accompanied by two lawyers, several members of her family and local journalists.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo condemned the attack and ordered top security officials to “personally oversee military action” against those behind the killings.
“No effort will be spared to bring justice to the victims and hold the perpetrators accountable to the full limit of the law,” Ms Arroyo said in a statement read by her press secretary, Cerge Remonde. “Civilised society has no place for this kind of violence.”
The southern Philippines is riven by clan rivalries. Many politicians and elected officials in the region maintain well-equipped private armies. – (Reuters)