Asia

Philippine army surround clan's compound

More than 3,000 troops are guarding the home of the Ampatuan clan whose members have been indicted for the political massacre of 57 people.

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The Philippine army today sent hundreds of extra troops to contain a powerful Muslim clan whose members have been indicted for the political massacre of 57 people last week. The extra battalion of 400 soldiers brings to more than 3,000 the number now guarding the home of the Ampatuan clan and government offices in Maguindanao province, military spokesman Lt Col Romeo Brawner said. "Our forces are now stationed in the area. They are restricting their movement within the compound," Lt Col Brawner told reporters. "We have added one more infantry battalion."

Supporters of the clan, which has ruled Maguindanao for a decade and has its own private army, were being barred from entering the home in the provincial capital of Sharrif Aguak, Lt Col Brawner said. The move is also meant to support the national police if and when warrants of arrest are issued for several clan members who could be charged with murder, including the patriarch Andal Ampatuan Snr, he said.

The patriarch's son and namesake, Andal Ampatuan Jnr, was arrested three days after the November 23 massacre and has been charged with 25 counts of murder so far. Authorities said he will likely face more charges. Police have indicted Ampatuan Snr and four other family members for their alleged role in the massacre, and are waiting for the justice department to decide whether to charge them in court.

Police allege Ampatuan Jnr and 100 of his gunmen shot dead the occupants of a convoy that included relatives of his rival for the post of Maguindanao governor in next year's elections, as well as a group of journalists. The rival, Esmael Mangudadatu, said the killings were carried out to stop him from running for office. Many of the journalists killed were from General Santos, a major port city a few hours' drive from where the massacre took place.

Ampatuan Jnr and Snr were members of president Gloria Arroyo's ruling coalition until being expelled last week because of the killings. * AFP

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Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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