Philippines - martial law

Martial law declared in southern Philippine province

Article published on the 2009-12-05 Latest update 2009-12-05 14:01 TU

Soldiers in an an armoured vehicle guard a government building in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, Philippines
(Credit: Reuters)

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo placed Maguindanao province under martial law late Friday in an effort to stop a rebellion of a militia loyal to the provinicial governor. The governor's Amupatuan clan is accused of being behind the politically-motivated massacre of 57 people.

Police seized 340,000 rounds of assault rifle ammunition in a raid on Saturday, according to national police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa.

Assault rifles, a homemade armoured car and a military-type truck were also seized, said Verzosa.

This is first time martial law has been imposed in the Philippines since dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled from 1972 to 1981.

"The declaration was imposed as an effort to run after all the suspects in the massacre on 23 November," correspondent Girlie Linao told RFI.

"The government was having difficulty in getting search warrants and arrest warrants because all of the judges and prosecutors in the province have gone on leave," she said.

They went on leave because they had been targeted and threatened by the Amapatuan clan, she added.

Police are still on the alert because they have not rounded up all gunmen and they are expecting them to fight back.