Philippine forces target 3,000 clan rebels

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang has assured the people that the imposition of martial law in Maguindanao will not last long since the government has started to restore normalcy in the province by restarting public services and allowing trade and industry to continue.

The assurances were made even as President Arroyo submitted before Congress last night the written justification on Proclamation 1959.

The President issued the proclamation late Friday putting Maguindanao under military control to quell what security officials claimed was an ongoing rebellion allegedly staged by supporters of the Ampatuan clan that was implicated in the Nov. 23 massacre of 57 people.

“We would like to stress the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao was necessary to quell the rebellion designed to protect the suspects behind the horrible massacre,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde told a news briefing yesterday.

“This move was necessary to give justice to the victims, ensure the safety of the witnesses and press freedom in the area and this is only for a very limited period,” he said

Philippine armed forces and police say they are pursuing at least 3,000 armed men loyal to the Ampatuan clan in the southern province of Maguindanao.

Troops have cordoned off the province, confiscated weapons caches and arrested scores of alleged gunmen.

Manila has accused the clan of ordering the massacre of 57 people last week and of fomenting rebellion.

But the government is also under fire for declaring a province-wide martial law and for its claims of rebellion.

Flag raising

Unconfirmed reports suggested troops clashed with groups of armed men in Maguindanao on Sunday evening but no casualties have been reported so far.

"There have been shooting incidents between these groups and the Philippine National Police," Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno told

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao (AFP) – Security forces found yesterday another cache of buried weapons in Maguindanao, where martial law was imposed following the massacre of 57 people, the military said.

Another arms catch found...

About 40 firearms, including M-16 Armalite rifles, were uncovered on a property that is believed to be owned by the Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., Lieutenant Colonel Michael Samson, military spokesperson, told AFP at the site.

“This is not a random search. The caretakers will be investigated,” Samson said, adding the site was found after a tip from residents in the area.

“This a ranch allegedly owned by (Andal) Ampatuan Sr.,” he said, referring to the Ampatuan patriarch who was detained with four other members of his powerful clan on Saturday shortly after martial law was imposed in Maguindanao.

The site is on a grassy area about a kilometer away from a police station on the outskirts of the provincial capital, Shariff Aguak.

Security forces have started the crackdown on the powerful Ampatuan family in Maguindanao yesterday, arresting the clan’s patriarch Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and three of his sons in power just hours after martial law took effect in the province.

“So far, there are already six members of the Ampatuan family, including the principal suspect in the November 23 massacre of 57 journalists and civilians Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr. who is now detained in Manila,” said Director General Jesus Verzosa, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Those already in police and military custody by Saturday morning were Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr., Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, Mamasapano Vice Mayor Akmad Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak Mayor Anwar Ampatuan and Kauner Ampatuan.

By noon, Andal Sr.’s son Sajid who is acting governor of the province was also in custody, Verzosa said. “I’m not really sure of the number but there are still more,” Verzosa told Manila Bulletin/Tempo in a phone interview when asked how many more Ampatuans are the subject of their operation.

Members of the Ampatuan clan and other officials who were arrested after martial law was imposed in Maguindanao over the weekend may not be brought to Manila due to security concerns.

Department of Justice (DoJ) Secretary Anges Devanadera said security arrangements may not be sufficient if the Ampatuan family members, who were rounded up since Saturday, were to be taken to Manila.

“Sa dami ng naaresto hihilingin namin na sa halip ilipat dito sa Manila, doon na lang sa area,” she said in an interview on dzBB radio yesterday morning.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde cited reports from the field on Saturday that Andal Sr. would be transferred to the Eastern Mindanao Command where there is a military hospital.

BACKED by military tanks, authorities conducted Sunday simultaneous raids on at least three houses owned by the beleaguered Ampatuan clan in Davao City, but not a single firearm was found.

In Maguindanao, government security forces unearthed Sunday morning another cache of high-powered firearms and ammunition believed to be owned by the Ampatuan clan, a top military official said.

DEPARTMENT of Justice (DOJ) is set to file Monday rebellion charges against Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo placed Maguindanao under Martial Law.

Ampatuan Sr. was taken into custody along with his three sons over the weekend.