Clan gunmen battle with police in Philippines
Source: Agencies |
December 8, 2009, Tuesday
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GUNMEN loyal to a powerful clan accused in the Philippines' worst political massacre clashed with police in the first reported violence since martial law was imposed in the southern region.
No casualties were reported and government negotiators were trying to persuade about 2,400 gunmen to surrender peacefully to avoid bloodshed, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said in Manila.
About 20 to 30 armed followers of the Ampatuan clan, the main suspect in the November 23 massacre of 57 people traveling in a rival's election convoy, opened fire on police commandos late on Sunday while they were patrolling Datu Unsay township, near the site of the massacre, national police chief Jesus Verzosa.
The attackers withdrew after two armored troop carriers were sent to repel them, Verzosa said.
He said the assailants were among more than 2,400 gunmen who had massed in 16 of Maguindanao's 36 townships to defend the Ampatuan clan, which has ruled the province unopposed for years.
Government negotiators were trying to convince the gunmen to surrender to avoid bloodshed that could harm civilians, Verzosa said.
"If they don't, we'll have to look for them," Verzosa said.
Army troops have raided the Ampatuans' mansions, farms, warehouses and offices and discovered a huge arsenal of weapons, including machine guns, grenade launchers and nearly half a million rounds of ammunition.
An anti-money laundering agency was assessing whether the Ampatuans, who have built sprawling mansions in a region notorious for appalling poverty, have acquired wealth illegally so those assets can be frozen, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said.
The latest crisis to hit Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's tumultuous reign started on November 23, when a convoy led by a rival politician was stopped by about 100 gunmen allegedly led by Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. The 57 people in the convoy, including 30 journalists, were killed with guns, machetes and a backhoe.
Ampatuan, who is detained in Manila, has been charged with multiple counts of murder.
No casualties were reported and government negotiators were trying to persuade about 2,400 gunmen to surrender peacefully to avoid bloodshed, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said in Manila.
About 20 to 30 armed followers of the Ampatuan clan, the main suspect in the November 23 massacre of 57 people traveling in a rival's election convoy, opened fire on police commandos late on Sunday while they were patrolling Datu Unsay township, near the site of the massacre, national police chief Jesus Verzosa.
The attackers withdrew after two armored troop carriers were sent to repel them, Verzosa said.
He said the assailants were among more than 2,400 gunmen who had massed in 16 of Maguindanao's 36 townships to defend the Ampatuan clan, which has ruled the province unopposed for years.
Government negotiators were trying to convince the gunmen to surrender to avoid bloodshed that could harm civilians, Verzosa said.
"If they don't, we'll have to look for them," Verzosa said.
Army troops have raided the Ampatuans' mansions, farms, warehouses and offices and discovered a huge arsenal of weapons, including machine guns, grenade launchers and nearly half a million rounds of ammunition.
An anti-money laundering agency was assessing whether the Ampatuans, who have built sprawling mansions in a region notorious for appalling poverty, have acquired wealth illegally so those assets can be frozen, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said.
The latest crisis to hit Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's tumultuous reign started on November 23, when a convoy led by a rival politician was stopped by about 100 gunmen allegedly led by Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. The 57 people in the convoy, including 30 journalists, were killed with guns, machetes and a backhoe.
Ampatuan, who is detained in Manila, has been charged with multiple counts of murder.
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