Manila - The patriarch of a powerful clan in the southern
Philippines was indicted for murder Tuesday for the massacre of 57 people in November, the worst case of political violence in the country's recent history. Senior state prosecutor Leo Dacera said four sons of Datu Andal Ampatuan Senior were also charged for the November 23 mass slaughter in Maguindanao province, 930 kilometres south of Manila.
The trial of the principal suspect in the grisly attack in Ampatuan town, Datu Andal Ampatuan Junior, has been ongoing at a Manila
court since early January.
Dacera said the charges had been filed against the Ampatuan patriarch, four other sons, and 192 other suspects after investigation showed that they were involved in the planning and execution of the massacre.
The victims included relatives of a rival political family and 32 journalists and staff travelling together when they were ambushed.
In the charge sheet filed in court, state prosecutors said they found "a common design, concerted action and concurrence of sentiments" among the suspects.
"All the conspirators are answerable as co-principals regardless of the extent or
degree of their participation," they added.
Ampatuan Junior allegedly led more than 100 policemen and militiamen in diverting the victims' vehicles to a hilly area where they were killed.
The Ampatuans were close allies of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo before the massacre. They were suspected to have played a key role in the alleged rigging of the 2004 presidential elections to ensure Arroyo's victory.
Arroyo has since distanced herself from the Ampatuans and vowed to being the perpetrators of the massacre to justice.
