MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine National Police chief Jesus Verzosa has ordered an investigation into reports that some policemen were among those who abducted and killed a group of local politicians and journalists in Maguindanao on Monday.

According to the PNP spokesman, Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina, Verzosa instructed police commanders in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to coordinate with their military counterparts to arrest the perpetrators of the gruesome killings.

“Everybody, including the alleged police personnel, will be charged in court as soon as possible,” Espina said in a text message.

Reports from military units in Maguindanao said a certain Senior Inspector Dicay of the Shariff Aguak police station were with some 100 armed men who seized members of the Mangudadatu clan, their lawyers and journalists in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

The military said at least 21 bodies have been recovered from the area where the abductors allegedly held the victims before they were shot dead.

The military said as many as 43 could have been killed in the massacre. Recovery efforts for more bodies continue.