MANILA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- A national group of journalists Monday condemned the abduction of media men, lawyers and local politicians in Maguindanao, southern Philippines.

    The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said in a statement, "should any harm befall our colleagues, we will hold accountable the civil and security officials of Maguindanao, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the national government for their failure to end the culture of violence and warlordism that lays waste not only to those who engage in politics but to innocent victims as well."

    The NUJP also called on fellow journalists "to band together and demand no less."

    About 20 journalists were accompanying the relatives of Buluan town mayor Esmail Mangudadatu, who were filing a certificate of candidacy for next year's national elections, when they were abducted by a group of armed men.

    Esmail, who's running for governor of Maguindanao in next year's elections, claimed his political rival is behind the abduction.

    The NUJP said that abducting a person who's about to file a certificate of candidacy is "a brazen challenge to efforts to strengthen our admittedly fragile democracy."

    "But to take hostage journalists who were merely going about their job of informing the public worsens the already heinous crime, " the group said, adding that this abduction is an "assault" against the Philippine constitution which recognizes both the freedom of the press and freedom of expression.

    The NUJP is urging both the local and national government to resolve the crisis as soon as possible.

36 hostages killed in Philippines' Maguindanao

   MANILA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-six persons of a group of local politicians and journalists abducted Monday in a pre-election related incident in Maguindanao, southern Philippines have been found dead, local media reported.

    According to a report of the website of the Philippine Inquirer, Jenalyn, the wife of Buluan town mayor Esmail Mangudadatu; Esmail's sisters Eden, Rowena and Farida; his lawyers Cynthia Oquendo and Connie Brizuela; and Mr. Oquendo, the father of Cynthia, were among those who were abducted and killed. Full story

Gunmen seize 40 people in southern Philippines

    DAVAO CITY, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Unidentified gunmen seized on Monday 40 people, including 20 journalists, in the province of Maguindanao, southern Philippines.

    A local radio station reported that armed men took journalists and a group of politicians who were suppose to file their certificate of candidacy at the office of the Commission on Elections in the town of Shariff Aguak. Full story