Manila , Philippines -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Philippines government has increased security in the southern region of Maguindanao after gunmen kidnapped and killed at least 22 people , according to military officials and the country 's national news agency . Some of the bodies were beheaded , according to Filipino media . The details suggest the daytime abductions were politically motivated , and the military said the gunmen were loyal to the province 's incumbent governor . Those killed include a gubernatorial candidate 's wife and one of his sisters , according to two of his family members who spoke on local television . The death toll also included at least 12 journalists , according to Reporters Without Borders , a media freedom organization . Ismael `` Toto '' Mangudadatu wanted to run for governor of Maguindanao province in May but had received threats he would be kidnapped if he filed the candidate nomination papers himself . He sent his wife and sisters to file the papers , thinking `` that women would have some protection , '' journalist Maria Ressa told CNN . `` It was supposed to be a media event , '' Ressa said , '' -LSB- to -RSB- let the public know that this politician would run for governor . '' Army officials said 100 gunmen surrounded the group of about 40 people -- many local journalists and women among them -- and ordered them out of their vehicles . They took the hostages to a mountainous region , officials said . Some of the women were raped and tortured , according to media reports . The military confirmed finding 22 bodies , some of them reportedly beheaded . `` Never in the history of journalism have the news media suffered such a heavy loss of life in one day , '' Reporters Without Borders said of the 12 journalists reported dead . The military has said the gunmen are loyal to Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan , who has held control of the area for the past decade and is a longtime ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo . Neither Ampatuan nor his advisers have commented on the allegation . Maguindanao is a province in Mindanao , a Muslim autonomous region out of the control of the central government . The Philippines government said it increased security in the region after the attacks . Jesus Dureza , an adviser to Macapagal-Arroyo , called the slayings `` a gruesome massacre of civilians unequaled in recent history . '' Dureza , Macapagal-Arroyo 's adviser on Mindanao affairs , has asked the government to place Maguindanao province under a state of emergency . Elections in the Philippines have long been marred by violence , but Monday 's abductions and killings shocked the nation . Macapagal-Arroyo condemned the killings and ordered more Filipino troops to the region to bolster security , according to the Philippines News Agency . She also ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines `` to conduct immediate and relentless pursuit of the perpetrators -LSB- and -RSB- to secure the affected areas , '' the agency reported . Military checkpoints are being set up as part of the security effort , state media reported . Aid agencies operating in the region have long complained about a climate of fear in the region , where the government has little control and private armies operate freely . Reporters Without Borders said it has been outspoken in criticizing `` the culture of impunity and violence in the Philippines , especially Mindanao . '' `` This time , the frenzied violence of thugs working for corrupt politicians has resulted in an incomprehensible bloodbath , '' the organization said . `` We call for a strong reaction from the local and national authorities . '' Journalist Maria Ressa contributed to this report .