A family member weeps during a funeral in Buluan town for five members of the Mangudadatus political clan who were among those massacred in Ampatuan, Maguindanao in southern Philippines November 26, 2009. On Monday, about 100 armed men attacked a convoy carrying members of the Mangudadatus family who were on their way to file the candidacy of one of the family for the provincial governor's post in elections next year, killing 57 people.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

Philippine gov't troops take control of Maguindanao capital

    MANILA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Philippine government troops forces took over the provincial capital of Maguindanao Thursday to restore order in the province, site of Monday's carnage that left 57 people, including journalists, dead.

    Col. Jonathan Ponce, spokesman of the Sixth Infantry Division, said in Thursday's press briefing, that the troops took control of the provincial capital around 7:25 a.m. He could not say how many police personnel were involved in the effort. Full story

Philippine massacre toll rises to 57 as governor, son eyed as suspects

    AMPATUAN, Philippines, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least 57 people were killed in the stunning massacre of journalists, civilians and relatives of politicians in the volatile southern Philippines as more bodies were unearthed from a mass grave, military and police officials said.

    Ltcol Romeo Brawner, the chief military spokesman, said 11 bodies were discovered as rescuers continued to dig the hillside grave in Saniag village, Amputuan town of Maguindanao province on Wednesday. Full story

Philippine president declares national day of mourning for victims 

    MANILA, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday declared a national day of mourning for the victims of Monday's massacre in the country's southern province of Maguindanao.

    Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said in a press briefing that Ms Arroyo declared the national day of mourning three days after the worst massacre in the country's history in which at least 49 people, including journalists, were brutally killed. 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

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