NEW : Police looked hurried , local police chief , said . NEW : This was worst politically motivated violence in Philippines ' recent history . Witnesses , local officials and analysts have blamed the attacks on Ampatuan , who has controlled the area for a decade and is a long-time ally of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo . Death ##s from massacre rose to 17 , a day after the brutal attack . Mangudadatu says he had received threats if he filed the candidate papers himself .
NEW : Police looked hurried , local police chief , said . NEW : This was worst politically motivated violence in Philippines ' recent history . Death ##s from massacre rose to 17 , a day after the brutal attack . Mangudadatu says he had received threats if he filed the candidate papers himself .