MANILA - Muslim residents in Quiapo, Manila said they were deeply saddened and angered by the mass murder of 57 people in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.

The Quiapo district is home to a sizeable Muslim population, many of whom migrated from Maguindanao to Manila in search of jobs.

On Thursday, many Muslims in the bustling district were selling wares on sidewalks and kiosks, or praying at a nearby mosque.

ABS-CBN News spoke to many residents in the area who followed news of the Ampatuan massacre, the first reported violence related to the 2010 elections.

On Monday, a group of journalists, civilians, and relatives of Buluan vice mayor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu were seized and killed by an armed group, believed to have been sent by Ampatuan Gov. Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his son Andal Jr..

"Nakakaawa ang nangyari. Walang mga muwang, nadamay. 'Di maganda iyan! (The killing is a pity. Innocent people were killed. That's not good!)," said one Muslim Quiapo resident.

Like many of his neighbors, he refused to be named for fear of a backlash. "Mahirap na kapag nagsalita kami. Magbabayad sila (Ampatuans) para ipapatay kami. (It's hard if we talk. They will pay people to kill us)," he said.

'A black eye for Muslims'

The remains of civilians massacred in Maguindanao on Monday, Nov. 23, 2009.

Another Muslim resident told ABS-CBN News that the killings of fellow Muslims were "inhuman."

"Ang Muslim, hindi pumapatay ng tao, dapat lahat sila parusahan. (Muslims should not kill others. They should all be punished)," the source said.

University of the Philippines Professor Julkipli Wadi, who hails from Sulu province, said the Ampatuan massacre is one of the worst cases of conflict in Mindanao.

"This is a new 'black eye' for Muslims. We have many brothers and sisters in Mindanao who want to live peaceful lives. But this event will leave a stain and will be hard to forget," said Wadi, who has been teaching at the UP Institute of Islamic Studies for over a decade.

He said that if the government fails to act decisively on the issue, then the killings might continue.

Mangudadatu believes the massacre was politically-motivated since he plans to run for governor of Maguindanao province.

Mangudadatu said the ruling Ampatuan clan, known to be close to the Arroyo administration, saw his gubernatorial bid as a threat.

The Ampatuans and Mangudadatus were former allies. Both families are known to keep private armies. Report by Sol Aragones, ABS-CBN News.