Journalists Killed In Philippines Election Massacre

Related Links:

New America Media: New America Media Condemns Murders of 31 Filipino Journalists & 27 Civilians in Philippine Political Massacre; Goons, Guns & Gold Still Run Philippine Politics

Committee to Protect Journalists: CPJ Extends Aid to Families of Slain Philippine Journalists

ABS-CBN: International Journalists Probe Maguindanao Massacre

Philippine News: Massacre Is Opening Salvo In Brutal 2010 Elections Campaign

Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation: Massacre is single biggest loss of life of journalists

The Wall Street Journal: Death Toll Rises in Philippine Massacre

Reporters Without Borders: Twelve journalists killed on Mindanao island in "dark day for press freedom"

Yahoo! News: 21 Killed in Election Massacre

November 23, 2009

At least 12 journalists were killed in Maguindanao province (on the southern island of Mindanao) by armed men, including two policemen, linked to the province’s governor, a supporter of President Gloria Arroyo. More than 30 other people were murdered. Some of the victims were beheaded.

Gunmen ambushed a caravan of political supporters and journalists on their way to file election papers Monday, killing at least 21 people in a massacre considered shocking even for a region notorious for violence between rival clans.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said at least 10 local reporters were part of the convoy. Their newspapers and radio stations have not been able to reach them, raising fears that they were killed. If confirmed, it would be the "largest single massacre of journalists ever," according to Paris-based Reporters Without Borders.