12 journalists killed in Philippines massacre

The journalists were among a group of about 50 people travelling in a convoy in Maguindanao province, on the southern island of Mindanao, to register candidacy papers for a local mayor planning to stand in a governorship election.

As the convoy reached the village of Masalay it was ambushed by a 100-strong armed gang said to have been led by a politician and a police inspector who opposed the candidacy of Esmael Mangudadatu.

The group, which included his wife and other relatives, were kidnapped and then systematically murdered. Mangudadatu, who wasn't travelling with the convoy, said female members of the group were raped before they were killed.

International Press Institute director David Dadge "This is a senseless slaughter... It is the work of journalists to report on political campaigns on behalf of the public. By acting in this way these individuals have shown that they not only stand outside of democracy but also outside of humanity."