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Philippines' ruling coalition expelled members of a political clan allegedly linked to the election-related massacre as arrests began Thursday of suspects.
Various reports have put the death toll at as much as 57 from Monday's massacre in southern Maguindanao province on the Mindanao Island. More bodies have been dug up from crudely-made graves.
ABS-CBN News quoted armed forces spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner as saying the military had taken control of the provincial capital and other towns and security forces had begun disarming militia members loyal to the powerful Ampatuan clan. There was no martial law in those towns although they remained under a state of emergency.
The report quoted National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa as saying 20 people suspected of being involved in the massacre had been taken into custody.
There have been accusations Andal Ampatuan Jr., mayor of Datu Usay town -- and son of a powerful politician who is a key local supporter of the coalition government of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo -- was involved in the incident. GMA News reported Thursday Ampatuan Junior had turned himself in to authorities.
"At this point, Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. is a suspect," National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa was quoted as saying in a radio interview. The suspect was expected to be taken to Manila, GMA reported.
The GMA report also said the ruling coalition Lakas-Kampi-CMD party has expelled three members of the Ampatuan clan including, Ampatuan Jr., his brother and their father, Ampatuan Sr.
Arroyo has vowed to bring to justice anyone responsible for the killings.
Reports say about 100 gunmen abducted the victims while they were on their way to file nominating petitions for Ismael Mangudadatu, and later killed most of them.
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