Wed, December 02, 2009
MANILA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Philippine government troops have sealed off the residence of the Ampatuan political clan in Maguindanao, southern Philippines.
Col. Leo Ferrer, commander of the Army's 601st Brigade, said Wednesday that this was done to prevent the "contamination of evidence." The Crisis Committee, chaired by Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Affairs Jesus Dureza, ordered government soldiers to seal off the place.
The Ampatuans, one of the most powerful political clans in southern Philippines, are suspected to be behind the Nov. 23 killing of 57 people, including members of the rival Mangudadatu clan, lawyers and journalists. Andal Ampatuan Jr., mayor of Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao, was arrested and charged with 25 counts of murder.
Ferrer said that the family members are not allowed to leave their mansion in Sharif Aguak town unless necessary. They're also not allowed to accept visitors, except for the following: representatives from the Office of the Solicitor General, their relatives, local executives, physicians and the family caterer.
"We would like to preserve, as much as possible, the evidence that may be inside the compound. We don't want visitors to contaminate the evidence," he said.
Ferrer said this is also for the visitors' safety. "We would like to serve the warrant anytime. It's necessary that there are less people inside, so that no one will be hurt in case there are hostile visitors," he said.
State investigators are also looking into possible the involvement of other Ampatuans such as former Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., and his sons - acting governor Sajid Ampatuan, and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Zaldy Ampatuan.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said the military is restricting the entry of the people to the Ampatuan residence "to ensure the security of the Ampatuans."
