Maguindanao massacre death toll now at 52 – police

The number of bodies recovered at the Maguindanao massacre site in Ampatuan town has reached 52 as of Wednesday noon, according to Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu, head of the Task Force Alpha, which spearheads the initial probe and retrieval operation for the victims. In a phone interview with GMANews.TV, Khu said they were able to excavate six bodies from the site in Barangay (village) Salman in Ampatuan town. Also recovered were a red Toyota Vios and an L-300 vehicle bearing a UNTV sign. Of the six recovered at noon Wednesday, those who were identified were Henry Araneta of Radio DZRH and Cecille Lechonsito, a passenger of the red Toyota Vios which the suspects thought was part of the convoy led by Genalyn Mangudadatu, wife of Buluan town Vice Mayor Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu. Khu said their retrieval operations are still ongoing. - SOPHIA DEDACE/LG/RSJ, GMANews.TV