Almeno 46 vittime

(Epa/Str)

Dead bodies lay on the ground as police officers inspect the site of a massacre in the outskirts of Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province, Mindano, southern Philippines, 24 November 2009. The province of Maguindanao has been placed under a state of emergency after some 24 people were killed on 23 November in the worst-ever election related violence in the country. The casualties include at least 12 journalists, human rights lawyers and the wife and sisters of Buluan, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Ismail Mangudadatu. Mangudadatu had sent his wife and sisters to file his certificate of candidacy, along with a media delegation, believing that they would be protected from rivals by the Koranic prescription to spare women. Local officials say that four survived the massacre and are currently in hiding.