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Philippine Massacre Death Toll Hits 57

Government declares emergency rule in Maguindanao province

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 25, 2009 12:05 PM CST

(Newser) – Another 11 bodies have been found in the mass grave where dozens were killed in election related slaughter in the Philippines. The death toll now stands at 57, including 24 women, Reuters reports. The government has imposed emergency rule on the southern province, sending in 500 soldiers, and disbanding a 200-member paramilitary force controlled by local officials.

Investigators say they’re looking into the possibility that some members of that force may have been involved in the killings. Truckloads of troops poured into the area today, with armored cars lining the highways. Among the dead, 22 are believed to be journalists, making it the deadliest attack on the media the world has ever seen. They were accompanying women from a powerful family as they traveled to file papers for a family member's candidacy. The men from the family opted not to travel, believing rivals wouldn’t attack women.

A man digs beside a backhoe as they recover a vehicle that was dumped together with massacre victims along a hillside grave in Ampatuan, southern Philippines on Wednesday.
A man digs beside a backhoe as they recover a vehicle that was dumped together with massacre victims along a hillside grave in Ampatuan, southern Philippines on Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
An army trooper pulls out a body from a backhoe along a hillside grave in Ampatuan, Maguindanao province, southern Philippines on Wednesday Nov. 25, 2009.
An army trooper pulls out a body from a backhoe along a hillside grave in Ampatuan, Maguindanao province, southern Philippines on Wednesday Nov. 25, 2009.   (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippine National Police look at the mangled remains of a van which was unearthed Wednesday Nov.25, 2009 at the massacre site at Ampatuan township.
Philippine National Police look at the mangled remains of a van which was unearthed Wednesday Nov.25, 2009 at the massacre site at Ampatuan township.   (AP Photo)
Philippine National Police look at the mangled remains of three vehicles that were unearthed Wednesday, at the massacre site at Ampatuan township, in southern Philippines.
Philippine National Police look at the mangled remains of three vehicles that were unearthed Wednesday, at the massacre site at Ampatuan township, in southern Philippines.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Fondue
Nov 25, 2009 7:00 AM CST
FakE-oF-RNC
Fondue
Nov 25, 2009 7:00 AM CST
No, it makes perfect sense. He is a fake.

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