Manila (AsiaNews) - The Philippine Catholic Church condemns the massacre of Maguindanao, 23 November, which killed 57 people including relatives and supporters of Ishmael "Toto" Mangudadatu, vice-mayor of Buluan and candidate for governor of the province. The man, meanwhile, has formalized his participation in elections scheduled in 2010.  

Mgr. Orlando Quevedo, Archbishop of Cotabato and president of the Conference of Asian bishops, calls for "decisive action because justice is done". The prelate speaks of a massacre that is "unprecedented" in the history of the province for its "savagery, brutality, shamelessness." He adds, however that is not the time to be guided "by the logic of revenge" that may precipitate the area "in a spiral of violence."  

Card. Gaudencio Rosales, archbishop of Manila, states that "it is for the government to exercise its leadership to heal the" deep wound "that has marked the" heart and democratic institutions of the country. " "We must heal the wounds – he comments - to prevent more tragic consequences."

Father Cesare Blacks, of the Diocese of Caloocan, told AsiaNews that the massacre reveals an "inhuman" face and all people of good will, without distinction of religion, must work "to restore peace." Sister Mary John Mananzan adds that the government of President Gloria Arroyo has tolerated for too long the "culture of violence" (the number one murder suspect is a political ally of the president, ed) giving too much freedom "to the warlords and repeatedly denying press freedom”.  

Meanwhile Ishmael "Toto" Mangudadatu formalized his participation in the electoral race for the office of governor in Maguindanao. The man, escorted by a troop of police and military, has travelled the same path of the convoy attacked on November 23 by a hundred armed men. The commandokilled his wife, sister and other supporters of the politician, as well as with 27 local journalists.

Mangudadatu clarified that "only death can prevent me from participating in elections."  

In terms of justice, the questioning has begun of some people mentioned among the perpetrators of the massacre. Some apparently have confirmed that the execution was ordered by Andalo Amaptuan Jr, number one murder suspect, who is being detained in Manila. The man, Mangudadatu’s political rival and son of the governor, denies any wrongdoing in the affair. Among those under investigation, there is also the police chief of Maguindanao, who "covered" the commando raid.  

Yesterday, also in Mindanao, a local employee of UNICEF, the UN agency for children, was shot to death. The murder occurred in an area not far from where the massacre took place on 23 November. From initial investigation it seems this is a murder of a "private nature".