21 politicians and journalists shot dead in Philippines

A group of 21 politicians and journalists who were kidnapped in the Philippines on Monday morning have been found dead say the army.

According to BBC News the military say that the group was seized on the southern island of Mindanao early on Monday morning. The group of 21 local politicians and journalists were trying to file a nomination for a candidate in the forthcoming Philippine elections when they were abducted this morning, according to local military reports. They were found dead later in the day, say the army. National elections in the Philippines are due to take place in May 2010 with registration for both local and national candidates opening earlier this month.