Asia-Pacific
Philippines declares emergency after 24 killed
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-11-24 14:27
MANILA, Philippines: Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has declared a state of emergency in two southern provinces after gunmen killed at least 24 people in an attack on an election caravan in a region notorious for clan violence.
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 Women light candles for the victims of abduction and killing in Maguindanao province in southern Philippines during a rally marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Quezon City Metro Manila November 24, 2009. [Agencies] |
Arroyo spokesman Serge Remonde says Tuesday's order will enable the military and police to restore order and prevent lawless violence. The measures include checkpoints and random searches by the authorities, but details have not yet been released.
Officials have promised to make arrests in the country's worst election massacre.
Officials are still trying to get the exact number of family members, political supporters and journalists who were intercepted by about 100 gunmen Monday in an attack that left at least 24 dead, said Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno.
"We're hopeful that some people escaped, and we're hoping to find them alive," he said.
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Soldiers and police later found 24 bodies, including those of Mangudadatu's wife, Genalyn, and his two sisters, sprawled on the ground or shot in their vehicles about three miles (five kilometers) from where they were ambushed, police spokesman Leonardo Espina said.
Mangudadatu said Tuesday that four witnesses had told him the caravan was stopped by gunmen loyal to his fierce political rival and the current governor of Maguindanao province, Andal Ampatuan Jr. He refused to name the witnesses or offer other details.
"It was really planned because they had already dug a huge hole (for the bodies)," Mangudadatu said.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said at least 10 local reporters were part of the convoy. Espina said they identified the remains of at least one journalist and the head of a small private TV station, UNTV, said investigators told him they found the bodies of his correspondent and cameraman. A driver and an assistant cameraman were still missing, Jay Sonza said.
If confirmed, it would be the "largest single massacre of journalists ever," according to Paris-based Reporters Without Borders.
"Covering the news has always been dangerous in the Philippines, but the wanton killing of so many people makes this an assault on the very fabric of the country's democracy," said Bob Dietz, Asia program coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists in New York.
The president's office termed the attack the worst political violence in recent history. Many among the 24 dead were women, including two lawyers, Espina said.
Mangudadatu said his wife called him by mobile phone shortly before she and her entourage were abducted.
"She said ... they were stopped by 100 uniformed armed men ... then her line got cut off," he said.
