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Philippine massacre suspect held Philippine massacre suspect held
(about 1 hour later)
A powerful Philippine clan leader suspected of involvement in the massacre of 57 people has been taken into custody, officials said. A powerful clan leader suspected of involvement in the killing of 57 people in the southern Philippines has been taken into custody.
Andal Ampatuan Jr had surrendered to authorities, they said. He denies organising the killings, AFP reported. Andal Ampatuan Jr, a local mayor, surrendered to the authorities but denied organising the killings.
Earlier, troops and police swooped on towns on the southern island of Mindanao run by the Ampatuan family. Troops and police swooped on towns run by the Ampatuan clan, arresting 20 men suspected of links with the killings.
The massacre took place on Monday as a convoy of vehicles used by a rival politician was ambushed. The massacre happened on Monday, when a convoy of vehicles used by a rival politician was ambushed.
The group, involved in activities for the 2010 elections, was taken to a remote hill region, shot at close range and their bodies dumped in shallow graves. The passengers were taken to a remote hill region, shot at close range and their bodies dumped in shallow graves.
Taken by helicopter Mr Ampatuan Jr was taken by helicopter from his hometown in the restive Maguindanao province on Thursday morning to a nearby airport. From there he was flown to the capital Manila for questioning.
Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said that Mr Ampatuan Jnr was taken by helicopter from his hometown in the restive Maguindanao province on Thursday morning to a nearby airport. "The family voluntarily surrendered him and they agreed that he will be investigated," military commander Lt Gen Raymundo Ferrer told reporters.
From there he was being flown to the capital Manila for questioning, Mr Puno said. Police were also reported to have rounded up and disarmed a 200-member paramilitary force in Maguindanao on Thursday.
Police were reported to have rounded up and disarmed a 200-member paramilitary force in Maguindanao on Thursday. They also made several arrests. All the police officers from one town were under investigation for the killing, AFP news agency reported, citing government officials.
Officials named militiamen under the control of Mr Ampatuan Jr - the mayor of a town in Maguindanao - as suspects. The Philippines authorities have been coming under increasing pressure to bring the perpetrators of Monday's attack to justice, according to the BBC's South East Asia correspondent Rachel Harvey.
All police officers from one town are under investigation for the killing, AFP news agency reported, citing government officials. Andal Ampatuan Jr did not give himself up to police, she adds. He was taken away by a senior adviser to president Gloria Arroyo.
Although prominent members of the Ampatuan family are allies of President Gloria Arroyo, they have been expelled from her party since the killings. The Ampatuan clan have been loyal supporters of the president, but since the killings three members of the family have been expelled from her party.
Mr Ampatuan Jr has not been formally charged, but is officially under investigation.
President Arroyo, who earlier declared a national day of mourning, has promised that the gunmen would not escape justice.President Arroyo, who earlier declared a national day of mourning, has promised that the gunmen would not escape justice.
The BBC's Danny Vincent, in Manila, says the Ampatuans have been involved in a long-standing feud with a rival family who want to oppose them in the national and local elections. Clan tensions
Philippine politician Ismael Mangudadatu has claimed it was gunmen loyal to the Ampatuans who ambushed his supporters as they were travelling to register his name for the polls.Philippine politician Ismael Mangudadatu has claimed it was gunmen loyal to the Ampatuans who ambushed his supporters as they were travelling to register his name for the polls.
Among the dead were Mr Mangudadatu's wife, his two sisters and several key supporters, as well as at least 13 journalists who were travelling with them to witness his registration as an election candidate.Among the dead were Mr Mangudadatu's wife, his two sisters and several key supporters, as well as at least 13 journalists who were travelling with them to witness his registration as an election candidate.
Analysts say the Ampatuans have effectively been in charge of Maguindanao for decades.Analysts say the Ampatuans have effectively been in charge of Maguindanao for decades.
Andal Ampatuan Snr has served in the Philippines Congress and won the governorship of Maguindanao unopposed for several terms.Andal Ampatuan Snr has served in the Philippines Congress and won the governorship of Maguindanao unopposed for several terms.
His son was reportedly planning a similarly unopposed run to replace his father but then Mr Mangudadatu decided to run as well.His son was reportedly planning a similarly unopposed run to replace his father but then Mr Mangudadatu decided to run as well.