State-run media reported that search teams pulled 24 more bodies out of shallow graves in the Philippines Tuesday bringing the death toll to 46 in “a gruesome massacre” ahead of provincial elections.

Following Monday’s shooting, which government officials called the worst pre-election violence in the country’s history, the Philippine government declared a state of emergency in southern parts of the country.

According to the Philippine News Agency, the military was deployed Tuesday in parts of Maguindanao to prevent more violence.

The kidnapped group–which included the wife of gubernatorial candidate Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu–was abducted Monday while in a convoy to file his nomination papers for the May election. He had received threats that he would be kidnapped if he filed the papers himself.

The government was placing survivors of the attack into witness protection, the agency also said.

Army officials said that about 100 gunmen Monday attacked the convoy, which included journalists. The abductees were forced out of their vehicles and into a mountainous area.

(article and photo source: CNN)