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Philippine poll attack 'kills 21' Philippine poll attack 'kills 21'
(20 minutes later)
Twenty-one politicians and journalists abducted in the southern Philippines have been found dead, the army says.Twenty-one politicians and journalists abducted in the southern Philippines have been found dead, the army says.
The group was seized on the southern island of Mindanao early on Monday. The group were seized on the southern island of Mindanao early on Monday.
The military said they were taken by armed men as they tried to file a nomination for a candidate for forthcoming elections. The military said they were taken by armed men as they tried to file a nomination for a candidate for forthcoming local polls.
The Philippines is to hold national elections in May 2010. Registration for local and national positions began earlier this month. Elections in the Philippines are often marred by violence, particularly in the south, where clashes connected to local rivalries and insurgencies erupt.
The country is to hold national elections in May 2010. Registration for local and national races began earlier this month.
'Scour the area'
According to local reports, those killed were on their way to an election office in Maguindanao to file papers on behalf of a candidate in the gubernatorial race.According to local reports, those killed were on their way to an election office in Maguindanao to file papers on behalf of a candidate in the gubernatorial race.
The military blamed armed men loyal to a rival politician - the incumbent - for the attack. The military blamed armed men loyal to a rival politician for the attack.
"Our army troopers have reached the area where the vehicles and those held were taken... they were shot by the armed men," Maj- Gen Alfredo Cayton told local radio."Our army troopers have reached the area where the vehicles and those held were taken... they were shot by the armed men," Maj- Gen Alfredo Cayton told local radio.
"We have recovered 21 bodies. Our men are continuing to scour the area to find the others.""We have recovered 21 bodies. Our men are continuing to scour the area to find the others."
The bodies of 13 women and 8 men were found, the military said. The bodies of 13 women and eight men had been found, the military said. Reports said the group had numbered about 30 in total.
Among the dead was the wife of the candidate who had been planning to run, they said.


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