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| Philippine massacre suspect held | Philippine massacre suspect held |
| (41 minutes later) | |
| A prominent member of a powerful clan suspected of involvement in the killing of 57 people in the Philippines has been taken into custody. | |
| Andal Ampatuan Jr, a local mayor, surrendered to the authorities but denied organising the killings. | Andal Ampatuan Jr, a local mayor, surrendered to the authorities but denied organising the killings. |
| Troops and police swooped on towns run by the Ampatuan clan, arresting 20 men suspected of links with the killings. | Troops and police swooped on towns run by the Ampatuan clan, arresting 20 men suspected of links with the killings. |
| The massacre happened on Monday, when 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 passengers were 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. |
| Mr Ampatuan Jr - mayor of Datu Unsay town - 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. | Mr Ampatuan Jr - mayor of Datu Unsay town - 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. |
| "The family voluntarily surrendered him and they agreed that he will be investigated," military commander Lt Gen Raymundo Ferrer told reporters. | "The family voluntarily surrendered him and they agreed that he will be investigated," military commander Lt Gen Raymundo Ferrer told reporters. |
| Police were also reported to have rounded up and disarmed a 200-member paramilitary force in Maguindanao on Thursday. | Police were also reported to have rounded up and disarmed a 200-member paramilitary force in Maguindanao on Thursday. |
| All the police officers from one town were under investigation for the killing, AFP news agency reported, citing government officials. | All the police officers from one town were under investigation for the killing, AFP news agency reported, citing government officials. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Andal Ampatuan Jr did not give himself up to police, she adds. He was taken away by a senior adviser to president Gloria Arroyo. | Andal Ampatuan Jr did not give himself up to police, she adds. He was taken away by a senior adviser to president Gloria Arroyo. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Clan tensions | 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. |
| Are you in the Philippines? What is your reaction to the massacre earlier in the week? What should the government do to stop clan violence? Send us your views using the form below. | Are you in the Philippines? What is your reaction to the massacre earlier in the week? What should the government do to stop clan violence? Send us your views using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |