Crackdown after Philippine massacre

Reuters

AFTERMATH: Philippine police's Explosive Ordinance Disposal personnel recover munitions at the farm of the Ampatuan clan in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, in southern Philippines.

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Thousands of troops, backed by tanks and war planes, have taken control of Maguindanao province to press a government crackdown on the powerful Ampatuan clan, accused in the November 23 slaying of 57 people travelling in the convoy of a political rival.

Around 30 journalists were among the dead, making it the deadliest single attack on the press anywhere in the world. The clan has denied involvement.

Late on Friday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo imposed martial law in Maguindanao - the first use of martial law in the Philippines since the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos imposed it nationwide more than 30 years ago. The move was announced on national television on Saturday morning.

The government says it feared the Ampatuans, who have ruled unopposed with an iron fist over predominantly Muslim Maguindanao for years, were fomenting rebellion in response to the crackdown on them since the massacre.

Those arrested or taken in for questioning include the clan's patriarch, at least six other family members, and clan followers, national police Chief Jesus Verzosa said.

Security forces have found several caches of assault rifles and ammunition at Ampatuan properties in recent days. Thirty-eight high-powered firearms and crates of ammunition were dug up Sunday at a farm believed to be owned by the Ampatuans near the provincial capital of Shariff Aguak, army Lt Col Michael Samson said.

Fearing violence, some residents have fled towns in Maguindanao, about 880km south of Manila. Heavily armed troops manned checkpoints and searched motorists along the main highway that cuts through farmland, hills and marshland in the province.

Shariff Aguak resembled a war zone on Sunday, with tanks and troops cordoning the seat of government.

Samson said martial law should not scare people. "I'd like to tell the people that there is no cause for alarm. We will not commit abuses," he said.

But pro-democracy advocates have accused Arroyo of overreacting to a law enforcement problem.

The last time martial law was used, it paved the way for Marcos' one-man rule that only ended with his ousting in a 1986 popular uprising. Many Filipinos have since become extra sensitive to threats to democracy.

Former President Fidel Ramos, an Arroyo ally who has become critical of her actions, described her move as "overkill."

The martial law proclamation allows troops to make arrests without court warrants and to restore order. Under the post-Marcos constitution, Arroyo can enforce martial law for 60 days, unless Congress revokes or extends it. Arroyo has to formally inform Congress of her action within 48 hours. Congress is expected to take the issue up on Monday.

CenterLaw, a group of human rights lawyers, argued that there were insufficient grounds for martial law and planned to challenge it in the Supreme Court on Monday.

"The constitution limits the grounds to insurrection, rebellion and invasion. None of these grounds are existent," it said in a statement. "We call on the citizenry to be vigilant for the defence of their civil liberties."

Government and military officials defended Arroyo, saying she acted decisively to bring suspects into custody and head off a rebellion by the Ampatuan clan.

"We felt that this is a very imminent threat, so we recommended this proclamation," military chief of staff Gen. Victor Ibrado said. "By their sheer number, they are really a threat to the peace and order of the province."

The Ampatuans are notorious for running a large private army. They helped Arroyo win crucial votes from Maguindanao during 2004 elections, but her party expelled the clan after the massacre.

Among the family members now being held, Andal Ampatuan Sr, a three-term provincial governor, and his son Zaldy - governor of the Autonomous Region in Mindanao, which includes Maguindanao - were taken into military custody early on Saturday, Ibrado said. Two other sons sought in connection with the massacre were also detained, police said.

Another son, Andal Jr, surrendered and was charged last week with multiple counts of murder.

- AP