24 charged for pre-poll massacre in Philippines
MANILA: Twenty-four people in the Philippines have been charged with rebellion in connection with a massacre that left 57 dead on the island of Mindanao. Those charged include several figures from the powerful local Ampatuan clan. Two weeks ago a member of the clan, Andal Ampatuan Jr, surrendered to the authorities and has since been charged with multiple counts of murder.
Today’s charges come four days after martial law was imposed in the province after last month’s killings. Prosecutors say that after the killings, those charged directed each other “to rise publicly and take arms against the Republic of the Philippines”.
The Ampatuans are accused of forming “a private army to resist government troops”.
