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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Philippine 'poll' deaths reach 52 | Philippine 'poll' deaths reach 52 |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The death toll from a politically motivated attack in the southern Philippines has now risen to 52, after six more bodies were recovered. | The death toll from a politically motivated attack in the southern Philippines has now risen to 52, after six more bodies were recovered. |
| The victims were killed as they travelled to file nomination papers for elections next May. | |
| Local politician Ismael Mangudadatu has accused an influential local family said to be an ally of President Gloria Arroyo of being behind the attack. | |
| Mr Mangudadatu's wife and at least 13 journalists were among the dead. | |
| President Arroyo has vowed that justice will be done, and has declared a state of emergency in two provinces on the island of Mindanao to allow police to search for the gunmen. | |
| Planned in advance? | |
| No suspects have been formally named in the killings, but police say they are investigating a member of the powerful Ampatuan clan - a family which has helped secure votes for President Arroyo in previous elections. | |
| Members of the family could not be reached for comment, but Mr Mangudadatu claims that gunmen loyal to the Ampatuans ambushed a convoy of his supporters on Monday as they were travelling to register his name for the forthcoming elections. | |
| Ismael Mangudadatu's wife and sisters were among the dead | |
| "It was really planned because they had already dug a huge hole [for the bodies]," he said, adding he had spoken to witnesses of the attack. | |
| Among the dead were Mr Mangudadatu's wife, his two sisters and several key supporters, as well as at least 13 journalists who were travelling with them to witness his registration as an election candidate. | |
| It is "the largest single massacre of journalists ever", according to the Paris-based group Reporters Without Borders. | |
| Human Rights Watch has expressed concern the central government's close relationship with the Ampatuan clan would hinder an impartial investigation. | |
| But President Arroyo promised justice would be served. | |
| "This is not a simple feud between opposing clans. This is a supreme act of inhumanity that is a blight on our nation," presidential spokesman Cerge Remonde told a local TV network. | |
| "The president is very clear that those people responsible, regardless of who they are, should be brought before the bar of justice." | |
| Influential family | |
| Analysts say the Ampatuans have effectively been in charge of the restive province of Maguindanao for decades. | |
| Andal Ampatuan Senior has served in the Philippines Congress and won the governorship of Maguindanao unopposed for several terms. | |
| His son, Andal Ampatuan Jr, was reportedly planning a similarly unopposed run to replace his father, but then Ismael Mangudadatu decided to run as well. | |
| At least three of Ampatuan's other sons are town mayors and most of them have their own private gunmen to safeguard their security. | |
| Are you in the Philippines? What is your reaction to the attack? You can send us your views using the form below: | Are you in the Philippines? What is your reaction to the attack? You can send us your views using the form below: |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |