BRUSSELS—The European Union's External Relations Commissioner on Tuesday strongly condemned a barbaric massacre in the south of the Philippines in which at least 46 people died.

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the barbaric killing... of innocent civilians, including women, journalists and lawyers, who were preparing to participate in the electoral process in the Philippines," commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said in a statement.
The Philippines declared a state of emergency in parts of the volatile south earlier Tuesday as anger spiraled over Monday's massacre.

The commissioner noted "with satisfaction" that Philippine President Gloria Arroyo had promised everything possible would be done to bring the perpetrators to justice.

International media groups also expressed outrage over the massacre, in which gunmen allegedly hired by the governor of a province in the strife-torn Mindanao island abducted and shot dead at least 46 people.

The Philippines has long been recognized as one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists.

The journalists were attacked while covering the planned nomination of a local politician, Esmael Mangudadatu, for governor of Maguindanao province in national elections in May next year.

The province has been ruled by an ally of Arroyo, Andal Ampatuan, for the past nine years and his clan is alleged to have organized the killings to ensure Mangudadatu would not register as a candidate for governor.

Ferrero-Waldner, sending her condolences to the victims' families, called for calm.

"In the face of this atrocity, the rule of law and democracy has to prevail," she said.