Scores of Filipinos took part in a candle-lit indignation rally at dusk on Tuesday in Manila to demand swift justice for the victims of Monday’s massacre in Maguindanao province.

During the rally led by activist group Bayan, priests led prayers that reflected deep sadness and anger over the Arroyo government’s failure to rein in the private militias of warlords, which is no surprise because President Arroyo counts the Ampatuans — one of warring clans in Maguindanao province — as her allies in that part of Mindanao.

Many students participated in the rally, carrying small placards that warned against election-related violence which they hope won’t top the grisly carnage in Maguindanao yesterday.

Julius Matibag, a leader of the National Union of Peoples Lawyers (NUPL), whose two members were among those killed in the carnage, assailed the slow response of authority. “We demand that President Arroyo order the immediate arrest of the Ampatuans who authorities, witnesses and survivors have said were the perpetrators and brains behind the massacre. Their arrest can be made as part of a continuing hot pursuit since they were positively identified,” said Matibag.

Rep. Liza Maza of Gabriela called the massacre “horrible” and expressed hope that the incident would not be a signal of things to come in the 2010 elections.

Another member of Congress, Joel Maglunsod of Anakpawis, told the rallyists that an independent, impartial probe is crucial in ferreting out the truth and bringing justice to the victims, which included the family members of a political clan leader, scores of journalists and two lawyers.

Press organizations across the Philippines and the world condemned the massacre, pointing out that it was the single-biggest incident of murder of working journalists.

The International Federation of Journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Reporters Without Borders have expressed outrage over the massacre.