Wed, December 02, 2009
MANILA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP)has ordered the relief of the entire Maguindanao Provincial Police Office (PPO) to allow the impartial investigation of the killing of 57 people in the province.
PNP Spokesman Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina said Wednesday that Senior Supt. Alex Linesses was appointed officer-in-charge of Maguindanao PPO. He added that about 1,000 policemen will be relieved and replaced by officers appointed by the PNP.
Earlier, Director Felizardo Serapio Jr., Director for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) in Western Mindanao, said the 23-man Datu Unsay town police force were placed under restrictive custody.
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. State investigators were also looking into possible involvement of other Ampatuans, police and military officials.
