Rally in support of Philippine massacre suspect

10:35, 30 November 2009

ZAMBOANGA CITY. November 30. KAZINFORM. A few hundred supporters of political allies of Philippine President Gloria Arroyo who are suspected to be involved in the brutal slaying of 57 people held a rally Sunday in Maguindanao province as a show of force to the embattled Muslim clan; Kazinform refers to Arab News.

Radio reports said the supporters were demanding the release of Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., who was arrested on Thursday in connection with the brutal killings of more than two dozen journalists and political campaigners of a rival faction in Maguindanao province.

The mayor denied involvement in the massacre and blamed it to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels, an accusation flatly rejected by the authorities and the MILF.

Reports suggested that many of those who joined the rally were paid as much as 1,000 Philippine peso each, but this could not be independently confirmed.

Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said they are also investigating the mayor's father Andal Ampatuan Sr., the governor of Maguindanao, and his elder brother, Zaldy Ampatuan, the governor of the Muslim autonomous region, and five more clan members in connection with the Nov. 23 killings; Kazinform cites Arab News. See www.arabnews.com for full version.

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