The Philippine Online Chronicles

(Updated list here.)

The abduction that later turned into a massacre in Maguindanao killed at least 40 people, according to latest reports. Women, journalists, politicians, and civilians who were on their way to the Comelec office to file the certificate of candidacy of Buluan vice mayor Toto Mangudadatu (who was eyeing the Maguindanao gubernatorial seat in the 2010 elections ) were blocked by armed men, kidnapped, and eventually killed.

Reports say that some victims were shot, some were beheaded, some women were raped, and some were buried.

The victims were abducted by gunmen linked to  the Ampatuans, a powerful political clan in Maguindanao. Survivors of the attack  pointed to patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his son Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan as the ones behind the brutal murders.

Philstar.com’s latest report identified the persons who were confirmed killed as:

• Eden Mangudadatu (the vice mayor’s sister)
• Genalyn Tiamzon-Mangudadatu, (the vice mayor’s wife)
• Lawyer Connie Brizuela
• Lawyer Cynthia Oquendo
• Cynthia Oquendo’s father
• Bai Farinah Mangudadatu
• Faridah Sabdulah
• Manguba Bai Mangudadatu (Toto’s aunt)
• Farida Mangudadatu (Toto’s youngest sister)

The journalists killed have been identified as:

• Ian Toblan
• Leah Dalmacio
• Gina dela Cruz
• Joy Duhay
• Andy Teodoro
• Mac-Mac Areola

• Bart Maravilla (Bombo Radyo Koronadal)
• Henry Araneta (dzRH Cotabato)
• Bong Reblando (Manila Bulletin)
• Neneng Montano (local radio dxCP)

Also reported killed were:

• Rasul Daud (Mangudadatu’s driver)
• Wahida Ali Kaliman
• Farida Sabdula
• Zorayda Vernan
• Victor Nuñez
• Zaida Abdul
• Pinky Balayman
• Ella Balayman
• Rahima Piopo
• Abdullah Hajji
• Patrick Pamansan
• Meriam Calicol
• A certain ‘Unto,’ and
• A certain ‘Chito’

Eight others were also reportedly confirmed dead but were not yet included in the list as of posting time.

“This is a gruesome massacre of civilians unequalled in recent history. Even women and working mediamen were not spared. I grieve for my friends in the media and all those killed while doing their job,” said Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Jesus Dureza said.

According to a source who requested not to be identified, the victims were shot at random. Some were also reportedly decapitated using chainsaws.

According to Reporters Without Borders, the Maguindanao massacre suffered the worst loss of life in one day in the history of journalism. “We convey our condolences and sympathy to all journalists in the Philippines, who are in state of shock after this appalling massacre,” they added.

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