Philippines declares state of emergency
- Source: Global Times
- [08:05 November 25 2009]
- Comments
A police investigator gathers evidence Tuesday next to the corpses of victims of Monday's massacre in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao Province, in the Philippines. Gunmen killed a group including journalists and politicians in the southern Philippines, with the death toll rising to at least 46 after more bodies were discovered yesterday, police said. Photo: AFP
By Song Shengxia
Philippines President Gloria Arroyo placed part of the country's southern region under emergency rule Tuesday after at least 46 people, including journalists and politicians, were murdered in the worst pre-election-related violence in the country's history.
The areas declared in a state of emergency include the provinces of Maguindanao, where the massacre occurred Monday, and Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City, which together have a total population of 1.54 million, AFP reported.
"There is an urgent need to prevent and suppress the occurrence of several other incidents of lawless violence," said Cerge Remonde, the president's press secretary.
Speaking at a press conference Tuesday in Beijing, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Qin Gang expressed shock and conveyed his condolences to the relatives of the victims on behalf of the Chinese government.
Gunmen allegedly linked to Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan abducted 51 people, including members of a rival political clan and 34 journalists.
At least 46 people have been killed, and many of them have been beheaded, according to the China News Service.
Ismael Mangudadatu, the leader of the rival political clan to Ampatuan, will run for governor of Maguindanao in next year's elections.
Mangudadatu's wife, who was en route to the provincial Commission on Elections office to lodge his nomination for him, was among those killed.
Ampatuan's son, Andal Ampatuan Jr, who is supposed to run for governor, had threatened to kill if Ismael Mangudadatu filed the candidacy for governor, Khdadafeh, Esmael's brother, told AFP.
Carlos Conde, a correspondent with The New York Times, told the Global Times that it was one of the darkest days for Filipinos.
"Despite the fact that reporters are much respected in the Philippines, the killing proves how dangerous it could be to be a reporter there," he said.
