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Philippine forces raid clan homes Philippine forces raid clan homes
(about 5 hours later)
Reports from the Philippines say security forces have raided the compound of a powerful family in the southern province of Maguindanao. Security forces in the Philippines have raided the compound of a powerful family in a southern province suspected of involvement in political killings.
One member of the family is currently in police custody, accused of involvement with a mass political killing last week. One member of the family is currently in police custody, charged with multiple counts of murder related to the mass killing last week.
Among the 57 victims were members of a rival clan and 30 journalists.Among the 57 victims were members of a rival clan and 30 journalists.
For the past few days army troops have surrounded the compound of houses where the Ampatuan family is based. Heavy weapons and ammunition were earlier found buried near the Ampatuan family compound in Maguindanao region.
Then early on Friday morning, police investigators backed by soldiers went in. For the past few days troops have surrounded the compound of houses where the Ampatuan family is based.
They first searched the house of the only suspect who has been charged in connection with last weeks killings - Andal Ampatuan Jr. Early on Friday morning, police investigators backed by soldiers with metal detectors and sniffer dogs moved in looking for weapons.
Then, according to local reports, they moved on to the house of his father, Andal Ampatuan Sr. We estimate that these weapons are enough to arm a battalion Jesus VerzosaPhilippines national police chief class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8383328.stm">Massacre 'simply beyond words' class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8382197.stm">Arroyo legacy at risk in massacre
It is unclear what, if anything, was recovered during the raid, but an army spokesman said police were looking for weapons. They first searched the house of the only suspect who has been charged in connection with last weeks killings, Andal Ampatuan Jr.
On Thursday, security forces uncovered what they described as an arsenal of weapons and ammunition buried close to the Ampatuan compound. They then moved on to the house of his father, Andal Ampatuan Sr, and other family members.
Twelve members of the family have been placed on an official watch list aimed at preventing them from fleeing the Philippines. Crates of bullets were found at Mr Ampatuan Jr's home. Some reports said the ammunition was for high-calibre machine-guns.
But no further arrest warrants have yet been issued. Military weapons
Police allege that Mr Ampatuan Jr led a force of 100 gunmen to ambush and kill members of a convoy that included the family members and supporters of a political rival.
Heavy weapons and ammunition were found outside the Ampatuan compound
He has been charged with 25 counts of murder.
Friday's raid followed the discovery of what a military spokesman described as an arsenal of weapons buried several hundred metres outside the Ampatuan compound in Maguindanao's capital, Shariff Aguak.
"We estimate that these weapons are enough to arm a battalion," national police chief Jesus Verzosa said.
He said the weapons had been recently buried and included anti-tank recoilless rifles, mortars, machine-guns, rifles, pistols and ammunition.
The chief of the armed forces has ordered an investigation into how the military weapons ended up in the hands of the Ampatuans.
The government has armed militias in the south to act as an auxiliary force to the army and police battling insurgents but they often end up as the private armies of local strongmen.
Arroyo supporters
Also on Friday, prosecutors issued subpoenas to six members of the Ampatuan family, including the patriarch, Andal Ampatuan Sr, to appear at a hearing on 18 December.
They and other members of the family have been placed on an official watch list aimed at preventing them from fleeing the Philippines.
The Ampatuan clan have long controlled Maguindanao province and have been loyal supporters of President Gloria Arroyo.
Since the killings, Mr Ampatuan Jr, his father and his brother Zalday have been expelled from her party.
She has promised that the gunmen would not escape justice.