21 abducted, killed in 'gruesome massacre' in Philippines

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/11/23/philippines.hostages/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29

In Manila, Philippines gunmen killed 21 people. 13 women and 8 men. Among those 21, 12 were journalists. According to the Filipino media some of the bodies were beheaded and the killings most likely were politically motivated. Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu was a man wanted to run for governor in the Maguindanao province in May but had received threats that he would be killed if he filed the candidate nomination papers himself. So, he sent his wife and sister to file the papers instead. He thought "that women would have some protection," journalist Maria Ressa told CNN. She also said, "It was supposed to be a media event, to let the public know that this politician would run for governor." But Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu was wrong in thinking that his wife and sister would be safe in doing the nomination for him, because they were 2 of the 21 that were killed. When the 'massacre' happened a group of about 100 gunmen surrounded the group of 40 and ordered them out of their vehicles. They then took the victims hostage to a mountainous region where many of the women were raped and tortured. The military has said the gunmen are loyal to the governor of Maguindanao, Andal Ampatuan. Andal Ampatuan, has held control of the area for the past decade and is a longtime ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Neither one has commented on the issue. Maguindanao is a Muslim providence in the Philippines. Since the attacks the Filipino government has increased security in the Maguindanao area.

I don't think there is a logical reason for this massacre. I do believe that it was politically motivated because it had to do with filing papers to run for governor. However, there is no justification for killing. I get the feeling that the Filipino government is good and in control of the area(s) that it is in control of, but the area(s) that they are not in control of they are really not in control of. I feel like there really is no reason for racial problems in the world anymore. Look at America, we have every race of people in our country and we get along just fine for the most part. We respect eachother's beliefs and tolerate different styles of life. The Filipinos are having a problem accepting one race of people; the Muslims. Or the Muslims are having trouble accepting the Filipinos. Either way, there is something going on there. And I don't think it is that difficult to just accept the other and go on with life. Yes, they have different beliefs, dress differently and have a different style of life, but just accept that, tolerate that, and move on. I figure life is too short to get caught up in stupid conflicts like that. I don't understand the point. Just because a person wants to run for governor they fear for their life because they have been threatened of it. That's not right. If a person wants to run for governor, they should be able to run for governor. And they should be able to do it without fearing their life. I figure if the people want to change who is representing them after ten years they have the right to vote someone new into office. Fair is fair.