PARIS, November 24, 2009 (AFP) - France on Tuesday strongly condemned what it called an "appalling" political massacre in the south of the Philippines in which at least 46 people died.

"France condemns in the strongest terms the appalling massacre yesterday in the Philippines," a foreign ministry statement said, adding that it was "essential" that next year's national elections be held peacefully.

The Philippines declared a state of emergency in parts of its volatile south as anger spiralled over the savage political massacre.

Police on Mindanao island pulled bullet-ridden bodies from shallow graves after gunmen allegedly hired by a local political chief abducted then shot dead a group of female politicians from a rival clan and accompanying journalists.