Philippines election violence

MANILA, Philippines, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- More than 20 people were kidnapped and killed in what officials said was violence related to next spring's elections in the Philippines

Thirty people, apparently looking to file nomination papers for a candidate in the Mindanao region, were captured by gunmen. The victims were said to be politicians and journalists and included the wife of the potential candidate. Twenty-one mutilated bodies were found by the Filipino military, which was searching for nine other people abducted at the same time.

An adviser to Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo told the BBC the event marked "a gruesome massacre of civilians unequalled in recent history."

Elections are scheduled across the Philippines in May, with the registration process having begun earlier this month.