At least 21 people were killed—some of them beheaded—in a poll-related violence, just hours after they were kidnapped in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao, an official said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Lt. Col Romeo Brawner said the decapitated bodies were found scattered, some buried, in Barangay (village) Salman Ampatuan in Maguindanao.

Most of the victims, abducted around 10:45 am Monday (November 23), were identified with Vice Mayor Toto Mangudadatu who is reportedly running for governor in 2010.

Reports said among the casualties were Mangudadatu’s wife.

Thirteen of the victims were women, Brawner said.

Brawner said this incident is election-related, adding that the camp of Mayor Datu Unsay Ampatuan might be involved in the massacre.

"Mayor Ampatuan. This is an election-related violence," said Brawner in a phone interview when asked about who could possibly be behind the killings.

Yahoo! Southeast Asia is still trying to get Ampatuan’s side as of this writing.

Meanwhile, Brawner said they are still trying to confirm reports that some journalists were among the fatalities.

Brawner added the death toll might increase because “the vice mayor believes everyone [who were kidnapped] were killed.”

Brawner said security has been beefed up in the area of the kidnappings. “We have increased forces to ensure peace and order will remain,” he added.