Photo Special: Philippines Election Massacre

Philippines Election Massacre

The death toll from a politically motivated attack in the southern Philippines has now risen to 52, in some of the deadliest election violence in the nation’s history.

Police and soldiers found 22 bodies in a hillside mass grave on Tuesday, adding to the 24 bullet-riddled bodies recovered near the scene of Monday’s massacre in Maguindanao province. It’s been confirmed that a further six bodies were found earlier today.

This southern region of the Philippines is wracked by violent political rivalries, in addition to a long-running Islamic insurgency, but the killings have shocked this Southeast Asian nation.

The victims were killed as they travelled to file nomination papers for elections next May.

Warning: This gallery contains images of dead bodies which you may find too graphic.