Principal suspect of Philippine massacre turns himself in
- Source: Global Times
- [16:25 November 26 2009]
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Andal Ampatuan Jr., second right, covers his face as his brother Zaldy Ampatuan, left, governor of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, accompanies Andal who surrendered to government troops in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao province, southern Philippines, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)
Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., the principal suspect of Monday's election-related massacre of 57 people in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao, turned himself in to authorities Thursday afternoon, according to Jesus Dureza, the president's adviser on Mindanao Affairs.
Ampatuan Jr, was brought to an Air Force helicopter bound for General Santos International Airport, where he will be turned over to Agnes Dvanadera, the secretary of the Department of Justice of the Philippines, according to Dureza.
In Manila, Ampatuan Jr will face charges over his alleged involvement in the election-linked massacre Monday in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao Province. Fifty-seven people were killed, including 23 journalists.
Philippine security forces Thursday have so far arrested 20 gunmen and started to disarm militia members loyal to the Ampatuans, said Jesus Verzosa, director of the Philippine National Police.
The Philippine military Thursday morning took control of Shariff Aguak, the capital of Maguindanao province, and the local government compounds, said Lieutenant-Colonel Romeo Brawner, spokesman of the Philippine Armed Forces.
Arroyo's ruling coalition, Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, has expelled Andal Ampatuan Sr., the governor of Maguindanao Province, and his two sons, Andal Ampatuan Jr., the principal massacre suspect, and Zaldy Ampatuan, the governor of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, party chairman Gilbert Teodoro announced Wednesday in a press release.
Philippine police named Andal Ampatuan Jr. the mastermind behind the massacre. Among the dead are the wife, lawyers and relatives of Esmael Mangudadatu, Ampatuan's political rival, who plans to run for the governorship of Maguindanao province in the May 2010 election.
An army officer escorts Andal Ampatuan Jr. (C), mayor of Datu Unsay town, after he surrendered in Ampatuan, Maguindanao in southern Philippines November 26, 2009. Ampatuan, a member of a powerful political clan and suspected to be behind the massacre of 57 people in an election-related feud, surrendered to the military on Thursday, an army official said.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)
