MANILA, Philippines -- Stunned by the scale of election-related violence in Maguindanao, the Commission on Elections condemned the killings and warned that it would not hesitate to disqualify the mastermind of the massacre from public office.

Comelec chairman Jose Melo said: ?This is an incident we condemn in the strongest terms.?

?We may be saying this a little prematurely, but if there are political candidates or political office holders there, we will be ready to disqualify them if they are linked to the killings,? he said.

The crisis began on Monday when armed men allegedly linked to Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his son Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr, seized more than 40 followers of a rival politician, Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Toto Mangudadatu and Mangudadatu Vice-Mayor Eden Mangudadatu.

The police have recovered 22 bodies from the massacre site in Maguindanao.

Among the fatalities were journalists who were covering the filing of the certificate of candidacy of Esmael Mangudadatu for Maguindanao governor.

Meanwhile, Elias Yusoph, the lone Muslim in the commission, denounced the massacre, saying it was against the principles of Islam.

?That is barbaric act committed by these people. If they are Muslims they should not have done that,? Yusoph said.