A shocking incident of election-related violence in the Philippines has paralyzed the nation and prompted the president to declare a state of emergency in two southern provinces.

On Tuesday, 22 more bodies were dug up from a mass grave following the discovery on Monday of 24 bodies.

The bullet-laced remains were found in Maguindanao province, according to Chief Superintendent Josefino Cataluna.

The dead appeared to include politicians, their supporters and journalists. The group had been travelling in a convoy of three vans on Monday, going to file nomination papers for next year's Philippines election, The Associated Press reports.

The killings are believed to be the nation's worst incident of violence. A media rights watchdog said as many as 23 journalists are feared dead. If that's true, it would also make it the world's worst known mass killing of journalists.

President Gloria Macapagal declared a state of emergency in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat. One of her advisors described the violence as the worst in the country's history.

The group had been travelling through Amputuan township on Monday en route to file election papers for a gubernatorial candidate when dozens of gunmen reportedly abducted the group.

The candidate himself, Ismael Mangudadatu, was not with the group at the time. His wife and two sisters were killed in the attack.

A pregnant woman was also killed.

Investigators are still not sure whether there were any survivors.

Because a state of emergency was declared following the killings, police and security forces were allowed to conduct random searches and set up checkpoints in an effort to track down the gunmen.

Arroyo said she ordered police and the military "to conduct immediate, relentless pursuit against the perpetrators to secure the affected areas."

The southern Philippines is known for violence, particularly during election time. Armed groups, including Muslim rebels fighting for self-rule, and political warlords who maintain their own private armies, are often at odds.

During the 2007 election 130 people were killed -- considered to be a relatively peaceful outcome.