DTN News: Philippines TODAY December 5, 2009 ~ President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Declares Martial Law In Maguindanao Province

DTN News: Philippines TODAY December 5, 2009 ~ President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Declares Martial Law In Maguindanao Province *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) MANILA, Philippines - December 5, 2009: Troops recovered more firearms, an armored vehicle, and expired permits to carry firearms allegedly owned by another Ampatuan clan member in a raid in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, which was placed under a state of martial law on Saturday. MAGUINDANAO PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES - DECEMBER 05: Filipino soldiers on board armored carrier personnel are seen along the highway in Shariff Aguak, on December 5, 2009, in the capital of Maguindanao province, as Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared martial law in the restive province. On November 23 supporters of local vice-mayor Ismail Mangudadatu and journalists were killed as they prepared to launch his candidacy for the governance of the Maguindanao Province. An ABS-CBN News report said the items recovered from a warehouse include an armored truck marked "PULISYA", a truck loaded with ammunition, three armalite automatic rifles, and several expired permits to carry firearms of Datu Zahid Ampatuan. It was not yet clear if Ampatuan was arrested during the raid. Joint police and military teams on Friday finished excavation at a vacant lot near the house of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan in Shariff Aguak. Authorities said the war materials recovered from the vacant lot can supply a brigade-size unit of the military. Some of the ammunition recovered have markings which indicate that they were from the government arsenal. Police believe some of the war materials seized were used in the massacre of 57 people in Ampatuan town last November 23. They said the war materials were buried at the vacant lot two days after the massacre, based on information from a resident in the area. The raid at the warehouse was part of the security forces' warrantless searches and arrests being conducted by virtue of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Proclamation 1959, declaring martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Maguindanao. Top government officials said the massing of forces and an uncovered rebellion plot to prevent the arrest of the Ampatuans prompted President Arroyo to place the province under a state of martial law. The military has taken full control of the province, including the capitol compound and all municipal buildings. MAGUINDANAO PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES - DECEMBER 05: Filipino troops are seen along the highway in Shariff Aguak, on December 5, 2009, in the capital of Maguindanao province, as Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared martial law in the restive province. On November 23 supporters of local vice-mayor Ismail Mangudadatu and journalists were killed as they prepared to launch his candidacy for the governance of the Maguindanao Province. Police have said that eight people, including the patriarch of the Ampatuan clan, Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., have been arrested since martial law was imposed in the province. The other Ampatuan clan members arrested were the ARMM governor, ARMM Vice-Governor Akmad Ampatuan Sr., Shariff Aguak Mayor Anwar Ampatuan, and Cahoner Ampatuan, a Sangguniang Bayan member of Shariff Aguak. The other local officials arrested were Paisal Sulaik, a Sangguniang Member of Shariff Aguak; Keise Usman, regional secretary of agriculture and of the ARMM; and Kabuntalan Emblawa, regional environment secretary of the ARMM. A total of six Ampatuans have been arrested, including another son of the Maguindanao governor, Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., who has been charged with 25 counts of murder for the massacre. Ampatuan Jr. is currently detained at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Manila. Ampatuan Sr. and Zaldy have been brought to Davao City and General City, respectively. Police said the armed bodyguards of the local officials have been disarmed and also arrested.