At least four people survived the massacre in the southern Philippines. At least 24 people were abducted and killed by political rivals.

The military has put Maguindanao Province under heavy guard as investigations on the brutal killings begin.

Esmael Mangudadatu, whose wife and several other family members were among those killed, demands justice.

[Esmael Mangudadatu, Victim’s Husband]:
"I am calling on the authorities - the military and the PNP personnel - to look into the situation, because this really is idiotic and barbaric behavior."

About 100 gunmen stopped members of the Mangudadatu family, lawyers and about a dozen local journalists on the highway in Maguindanao Province on Monday and herded them away at gunpoint. Around 40 people were taken away.

The army and police said they later found 24 bodies in a remote mountainous area, but there were no details on whether the rest were also killed or if there were any survivors.

Officials said some of the victims were beheaded, and bodies mutilated. Around a dozen of those killed were women.

The southern Philippines is riddled with clan rivalries. Many politicians and elected officials in the region maintain well-equipped private armies.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo condemned the violence and ordered her top security officials to "personally oversee military action" against those behind the killings.