Shariff Aguak, Philippines - Thousands of people Sunday rallied in support of a prominent political family in the southern Philippines accused of masterminding the massacre of 57 people. About 3,000 demonstrators gathered outside the residences of the Ampatuan family in Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao province, 930 kilometres south of Manila.
Dozens of local officials allied with the Ampatuans also converged at the residences of Maguindanao Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Senior and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao Governor Zaldy Ampatuan to express their support.
The demonstrators carried placards rejecting the allegations against the family, nine members of whom have been accused of involvment in the November 23 mass slaughter in nearby Ampatuan town.
The placards read, "Stop accusing the Ampatuans," "They are not killers" and "Ampatuans are good people!"
Governor Zaldy Ampatuan promised justice for the victims, but defended his family from the accusations of committing the killings out of political rivalry.
"We are one in seeking justice for the victims of this incident," he said. "Even if my family is under siege, we continue to uphold the criminal (justice) system."
"When the rule of law points to the guilty ones, then let the acts of punishment fall on them," he added. "There is no greater condemnation than this to those deserving to be punished for the gruesome acts done."
The massacre victims included 30 journalists and relatives, lawyers and supporters of Esmael Mangudadatu, a rival politician contesting the post of Maguindanao governor, which has been held by Ampatuan Senior since 2001.
Datu Andal Ampatuan Junior, son of the governor and mayor of Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao, has been detained and faces multiple murder charges for allegedly masterminding and taking part in the killings.
His father, elder brother Zaldy, and six other relatives were also being investigated for involvement in the carnage, which has been condemned by the international community.
The ruling Lakas-Kampi political party also expelled Ampatuan Senior, Zaldy Ampatuan and Ampatuan Junior following the massacre.
Zaldy Ampatuan, who stressed that he was in Manila when the incident happened, said the suspension was unfair.
"It was easy for them to do that without even investigating," he said. "We emphasize that we are peace-loving."
Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner, a military spokesman, said government troops were closely monitoring the demonstration to ensure that violence does not break out.
"We have received information that supporters of the Mangudadatus are also massing up, but we have yet to verify this," he said. "We are on top of the situation, the area is under our control."
Brawner said several armed men had been arrested at various checkpoints set up around Maguindanao as part of efforts to keep peace in the area.
"We are checking if they are allied with any of the warring clans," he said. "They could also be just residents who are used to carrying firearms, but since they passed by the checkpoints, they were arrested and their weapons confiscated."
