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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Charges over Philippine massacre | Charges over Philippine massacre |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A member of a powerful clan accused over a massacre of 57 people in the southern Philippines has been charged with multiple murders, prosecutors say. | A member of a powerful clan accused over a massacre of 57 people in the southern Philippines has been charged with multiple murders, prosecutors say. |
| Andal Ampatuan Jr, a mayor from lawless Maguindanao province, surrendered last week and has denied involvement. | Andal Ampatuan Jr, a mayor from lawless Maguindanao province, surrendered last week and has denied involvement. |
| Prosecutors say witnesses saw him lead gunmen in the 23 November massacre. | Prosecutors say witnesses saw him lead gunmen in the 23 November massacre. |
| Those killed were trying to file nomination papers for a candidate challenging Mr Ampatuan in next year's gubernatorial elections. | Those killed were trying to file nomination papers for a candidate challenging Mr Ampatuan in next year's gubernatorial elections. |
| The group - which included relatives of the candidate, lawyers and journalists - were taken to a remote hill region and shot at close range. | The group - which included relatives of the candidate, lawyers and journalists - were taken to a remote hill region and shot at close range. |
| Their bodies were then dumped in shallow graves. | Their bodies were then dumped in shallow graves. |
| Elections in the Philippines are often hit by violence but this incident has horrified the nation. | Elections in the Philippines are often hit by violence but this incident has horrified the nation. |
| President Gloria Arroyo has promised that the killers will be brought to justice. | |
| The BBC's Danny Vincent in Manila says the Ampatuan family are close allies of the Mrs Arroyo, but since the murders several family members have been removed from her party. | |
| Move requested | Move requested |
| Prosecutors say that Andal Ampatuan Jr has been charged with 25 counts of murder and that 10 witnesses are likely to testify against him. | |
| The charges have been filed in Cotobato city, in the closest regional court to the massacre site. | |
| But prosecutors are expected to ask for the trial to be moved to the capital, Manila, for security reasons. | |
| About 20 other suspects, including senior members of the Maguindanao provincial police force and officers of Ampatuan township's force, are in custody and are being investigated. | About 20 other suspects, including senior members of the Maguindanao provincial police force and officers of Ampatuan township's force, are in custody and are being investigated. |
| The Ampatuan family have effectively been in charge of Maguindanao for decades, analysts say. | The Ampatuan family have effectively been in charge of Maguindanao for decades, analysts say. |
| Andal Ampatuan Sr has served in the Philippines Congress and won the governorship of Maguindanao unopposed for several terms. | Andal Ampatuan Sr 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 when Ismael Mangudadatu decided to contest the office. | His son was reportedly planning a similarly unopposed run to replace his father when Ismael Mangudadatu decided to contest the office. |
| Mr Mangudadatu's wife, his two sisters and several key supporters were among the dead. | Mr Mangudadatu's wife, his two sisters and several key supporters were among the dead. |