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Philippines massacre death toll rises to 46

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A Filipino Muslim holds a lighted candle while displaying placards during a rally on Tuesday, November 24, at Manila's Quezon city to condemn the massacre of at least 40 political supporters and journalists who were on their way to file election papers for Vice Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu of Buluan township, a candidate in a region of southern Philippines notorious for violence between rival clans. (AP Photo)

MANILA, November 24 (Agencies): Philippines officials say the death toll from an attack on an election caravan has risen to 46, after police found 11 more bodies in a mass grave. Police pulled 15 bodies out of another grave earlier in the day. The discoveries came as Philippine President Gloria Arroyo declared an indefinite state of emergency in the south.
Presidential spokesman Serge Remonde told reporters Tuesday that the declaration covers the province of Maguindanao, where the massacre occurred, and two neighbouring areas. The declaration authorizes the military to impose curfews, set up checkpoints and undertake searches of homes. Local officials say some of the victims were mutilated and beheaded before being left in shallow graves on Mindanao island.
The crisis began Monday, when a convoy of more than 40 people, travelling to file papers nominating the vice mayor of Buluan township for next year's gubernatorial race, was stopped by about 100 gunmen and taken to a remote area. The victims include at least 12 journalists and the wife and two sisters of Vice Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu. The military says the vice mayor's rival, provincial governor Andal Ampatuan, is suspected of ordering the attack in a long-standing feud between the two political families.
President Gloria Arroyo said no effort would be spared to bring justice to the victims and hold the perpetrators accountable. Presidential advisor Jesus Dureza said the massacre was "unequaled in recent history." Violence is common on Mindanao, where security forces are fighting communist rebels, Islamic radicals and fierce clan rivalries. Election season generally intensifies the attacks. The 2010 vote is scheduled for May 21.


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