MANILA, Philippines—The chair of the election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to immediately place Maguindanao under its control to prevent the further escalation of violence.

PPCRV chairman Henrietta De Villa also called on the government to throw the full force of the law against the masterminds and perpetrators of the brutal murders of at least 24 people Monday.

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

De Villa suggested the following actions to stop the violence and protect the election process:

• For Comelec to transfer the filing of certificate of candidacy to Cotabato City;

• Put Maguindanao under Comelec control immediately;

• Disarm all relatives and supporters of the two warring camps in Maguindanao'

• For the Philippine National Police to show determination in arresting suspects;

• For President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to literally and concretely throw the full force of the government in apprehending the killers, "without fear or favor no matter the political consequences; and;

• For media and civil society to step up vigilance and keep up the pressure until the perpetrators of the Maguindanao massacre 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.