MANILA, Philippines—The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting Tuesday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place Maguindanao immediately under its control to prevent an escalation of violence.

Council chair Henrietta de Villa also called on the government to throw the full force of the law against the masterminds and perpetrators of Monday’s massacre.

“I am distraught, angry and terribly saddened at the grizzly massacre in Maguindanao when we’ve barely begun the electoral process. I grieve with our Muslim election partners in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) who work so hard to change for the better the election profile of the ARMM,” De Villa said in a statement.

Aside from placing Maguindanao under the Comelec’s control, De Villa also asked the poll body to transfer the filing of certificate of candidacy to Cotabato City.

‘Show some teeth’

De Villa challenged the Philippine National Police to “show some teeth and go after suspects and arrest them” while disarming all relatives and supporters of the two warring clans in Maguindanao.

She also called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to “literally and concretely throw the full force of the government to apprehend the killers, especially the mastermind without fear or favor no matter the political consequences.”

She said the media and civil society should also “step up its vigilance and voice continuous pressure until perpetrators of Maguindanao are caught and brought to the bar of justice.”

“Let us pray as a people united for the cause of justice and peace. God save us all,” De Villa said.

Bishops denounce killings

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) also condemned the massacre and appealed for the restoration of justice and peace and respect for human life in Maguindanao.

“Whether it is politically motivated or not, it is still a crime against respect for life and peace and order in the community,” Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, the CBCP president, said in a statement.

“We join the appeal to rightful authorities to restore justice in the situation. We likewise appeal that the common good as well as respect for human life be uppermost in the campaign for political ends,” Lagdameo said.

“May this painful situation be a strong reason for further pursuing the ongoing peace process in Mindanao,” he added.