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Philippine poll attack 'kills 21' Philippine poll attack 'kills 21'
(40 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 were 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 local polls.The military said they were taken by armed men as they tried to file a nomination for a candidate for forthcoming local polls.
Elections in the Philippines are often marred by violence, particularly in the south, where clashes connected to local rivalries and insurgencies erupt.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.The country is to hold national elections in May 2010. Registration for local and national races began earlier this month.
'Scour the area''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, the group were on the way to an election office in Maguindanao province to file nominations papers for a local mayor, Esmael Mangudadatu.
The military blamed armed men loyal to a rival politician for the attack. Mr Mangudadatu was reportedly planning to run for governor in the mainly Muslim province.
"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. He was not part of the group but his wife, lawyers, aides and a number of journalists were said to have been among those taken when their three-vehicle convoy was hijacked.
A military official 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.
"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 eight men had been found, the military said. Reports said the group had numbered about 30 in total. The bodies of 13 women and eight men had been found, the military said. Mr Mangudadatu's wife was said to be among the dead.
Among the dead was the wife of the candidate who had been planning to run, they said. Reports said the group had numbered about 30 in total.
Elections can be particularly violent in Maguindano and other parts of Mindanao island.
Both communist and separatist Muslim rebels are fighting troops there and local politics can be dominated by strongmen backed up by private militias.
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