BBC News
has reported the death toll for a recent devastating attack in the Philippines
has reached 57 as of Wednesday morning.
President
Gloria Arroyo has declared a state of emergency in two provinces on the
southern island of Mindanao.
Electoral
candidate, Ismael Mangudadatu, has suspected the local Ampatuan clan as
responsible for the attack because of their family ties with incumbent
governor, Andal Ampatuan.
Mangudadatu's
wife was killed along with at least 13 journalists.
The New
York Times reported the election violence is linked to warring clans vying for
political power.
The
Ampatuans are close allies of Arroyo, and have aided her in previous elections.
Political
violence is not unprecedented in the Philippines. Previous elections have seen much bloodshed, with 126 deaths
in the 2007 elections and 189 in 2004.
