Philippine massacre toll rises

Last Updated: Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:21:00 +1100

Local authorities in the Philippines say at least 30 bodies have been recovered by government troops in the southern province of Maguindanao.

Around 40 politicians and journalists had earlier been abucted in the area by a group of armed men as they tried to file a nomination for a candidate for forthcoming local polls.

A military spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner, says many of those confirmed dead are women, and it's feared the casualty toll will rise further.

"Some of them have been mutilated - there are signs of mutilation. However there are also reports of beheading, but we have not yet received any confirmation about this," he said.

The Philippine government has condemned the violence, and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.

Among those feared dead are 13 members of the local media -- the largest group of journalists ever killed in a single incident in the Philippines.