At Least 21 Kidnap Victims Found Dead In Southern Phillippines

Philippine kidnappers kill 21 in 'political massacre'

By Jason Gutierrez (AFP) – 5 hours ago

MANILA — At least 21 people were murdered in the lawless southern Philippines on Monday in a massacre that the military and relatives of the victims said was likely linked to a political rivalry.

Supporters of a prominent local politician in Maguindanao province and local journalists were among those murdered, with some of them beheaded and mutilated, the military and relatives said.

Armed forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner said the bodies of 21 people had been recovered, 13 of whom were women, and that the death toll was likely to rise.

continued here: AFP