MANILA - The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday sacked its provincial director in Maguindanao for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and massacre on Monday of at least 24 people.

Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, PNP spokesman, said Chief Inspector Zukarno Adil Dicay has been relieved from his post and is under investigation for his alleged involvement in the gruesome killing of relatives and supporters of Buluan town Vice-Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu.

Espina, however, did not say if Dicay has been accounted for or ordered restricted to camp.

He said they received reports Dicay was seen with the group of Mayor Datu Unsay Ampatuan that stopped the convoy of the Mangudadatu's, led by the vice-mayor's wife in Sitio Masalay, Barangay Salman Ampatuan on Monday afternoon.

The convoy included members of the media, lawyers, and majority of them were women.

Espina said that as of 12:20 a.m. Tuesday, a total of 24 bodies have been recovered by joint police and military teams in Maguindanao.

The PNP identified the fatalities as Bai Farina Mangudadatu, Bai Eden Mangudadatu, Atty. Cynthia Oquindo, Atty. Connie Brizuela, Councilor Rasul Daud, Faridah Sabdula, Romena Mangudadatu, Ayos Sudlang, Abdula Dodong, Divina dela Cruz, a certain Chito, Henry Araneta of radio dzRH, Jimmy Cabello, a certain Jonto, Juanita Dalim, Mary Ann Calimbol, Ralda Sapalon, Pingky Sulaim, Rahima Palawan, Wahid Sabdula, Lilia del Macio, Partika Palapay, Victor Munuz and a certain amot.

Espina said pursuit operations have been launched by the military and police. He said they have yet to determine the exact hiding places of the suspects.

He said several witnesses have given their accounts of the kidnapping and the killing. He said they would have to "document everything" before they can file kidnapping and murder charges against all the people involved in the gruesome killings.

There were reports that the police have secured 4 survivors who could possibly confirm allegations of the mayor and the police official's involvement.

"We still have to verify the veracity of this information, and if warranted, charge him in court as to his culpability. This is all up to the investigating team [of the police]," he said, referring to Mayor Ampatuan.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno told ANC in an interview that charges could be filed in two days, adding that they already have specific names of those possibly involved in the massacre.

"We are not exempting anybody from the list of suspects. We have some information how this thing happened and who are responsible," Puno said.

He also assured there will be "no sacred cows and no political solutions." - With a report from Noel Alamar, radio dzMM and ANC