MANILA, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- The international community strongly condemned the massacre happened in southern Philippine province of Maguindanaoin on Monday, in which at least 49 people including women and more than a dozen journalists were killed.
Qin Gang, spokesman of China's Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday, "we are shocked by the incident. We denounce it and extend our sincere sympathy to the families of the victims."
British Ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Lillie on Wednesday said, "I condemn this brutal massacre of innocent civilians, including women, journalists and lawyers. I hope that the authorities in the Philippines will take urgent action to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent further escalation of violence in the run-up to next year's elections."
"Effective action will be crucial in maintaining confidence in the Philippines' commitment to protect human rights," the envoy said as he extended profound condolences to the families of the victims.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon also strongly deplored the massacre of innocent civilians and expressed hope that "no effort will be spared to bring justice and to hold the perpetrators accountable."
"The Secretary-General is saddened by the reports of the brutal killing of more than 40 civilians in the Maguindanao province, Southern Philippines. He condemns this heinous crime committed in the context of a local election campaign," Ban's spokesman said ina statement from the U.N. Headquarters in New York.
European Commission (EC) Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said, "I condemn in the strongest possible terms the barbaric killing of innocent civilians, including women, journalists and lawyers, who were preparing to participate in the electoral process in the Philippines."
"I convey my profound condolences to the families of all those killed. I note with satisfaction the declaration of the President of the Philippines, that all will be done to bring the perpetrators to justice," she added.
In Manila, the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap) said in a statement that the killings of journalists in Maguindanao "are a direct affront to democratic principles, and aim to strike fear and to muzzle free, fearless and balanced reporting."
"These courageous media personnel were only doing their job to report crucial political developments in Mindanao and should not have been directly targeted by any armed groups," the Focap said.
"It is the heaviest loss of lives for the Philippine media, possibly in the whole world, in a single day," it noted.
Philippine massacre toll reaches 49
MANILA, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- The hope for finding survivors from one of the Philippines' worst killings is fading as rescuers on Wednesday discovered three more bodies from a shallow mass grave, pushing up the death toll of Monday's massacre to 49.
Ibrahim Magundadatu, Buluan town mayor of Maguindanao province, told local television that the latest victims are all male. The bodies were unearthed from the same hillside grave in Amputuan town where 25 bodies were recovered Tuesday. Full story
China condemns hostage killing in southern Philippines
BEIJING, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday condemned the hostage killing in southern Philippines which left at least 37 people dead.
"We are shocked by the incident. We denounce it and extend our sincere sympathy to the families of the victims," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular press briefing. 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
