Authorities discovered the bodies of at least 30 people kidnapped early today in the southern Philippines and called the incident a politically motivated slaughter.
The victims -- including at least 13 women -- reportedly included a dozen journalists as well as lawyers and a woman who had planned to file her husband's nomination for elections next year.
Many victims had been beheaded and buried, authorities said.
The convoy of political activists was hijacked by an estimated 100 gunmen as they rode in several vans near the town of Ampatuan, said Army Col. Jonathan Ponce, a spokesman for the 6th Infantry Division.
The bodies were later found about three miles away. Philippine military troops were still searching for at least a dozen more victims who had also been among the group.
The group included the wife of Buluan township Vice Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu, along with his two sisters, supporters and local journalists.
Officials say they were en route to nearby Shariff Aguak township to file Mangudadatu's nomination papers for the position of governor of Maguindanao province.
No comments:
Post a Comment