Philippine president's ally 'top suspect' in massacre

2009-11-25 07:27:38 GMT2009-11-25 15:27:38 (Beijing Time) SINA.com

Workers load into a truck dead bodies, victims of massacre after gunmen shot at least 46 people in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province, on November 24. Philippine police have named a political ally of President Gloria Arroyo as the prime suspect in the election-linked massacre. (AFP/Mark Navales)

Philippine police on Wednesday named a political ally of President Gloria Arroyo as the prime suspect in an election-linked massacre of 46 people.

"According to the initial reports, those who were abducted and murdered at Saniag were initially stopped by a group led by the mayor of Datu Unsay," national police spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said.

The mayor of Datu Unsay is Andal Ampatuan Jnr, a member of Arroyo's ruling Lakas Kampi CMD coalition and son of an extremely powerful regional politician who has ensured local support for the president in previous elections.

(Agencies)

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