Massacre suspect had enough weapons 'to arm a battalion'

Manila : A raid by authorities on the residence of the chief suspect in the massacre of 57 civilians in Maguindanao, Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr yielded enough weapons to arm an entire battalion of troops, the head of the national police said.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Director-General Jesus Versoza said the PNP and the armed forces had conducted an inventory of weapons seized from the palatial residence of Andal Jr in the town of Shariff Aguak after authorities raided it yesterday morning and found rifles, mortar units, machine guns, assault rifles as well as pistols.

"Based on our estimates, these [firearms and ammunition] can arm one battalion," Verzosa was quoted as saying while pointing out the raid on Andal Jr's residence was aimed at strengthening the murder and illegal possession of weapons case against the mayor.

Andal Jr was charged with murder in connection with the murder of 57 civilians, mostly relatives and political supporters of the rival for the post of governor of Maguindanao in the 2010 elections, Vice Mayor Esmail Mangudadatu of the municipality of Buluan.

The grisly murder is considered the worse incident of political violence in the country as it also victimised some 30 journalists and their support staff, two lawyers as well as motorists who happened to be passing by at the time.

Arsenal

According to Versoza, among the heavy weapons found within Andal Jr's compound were weapons such as two 90mm recoilless rifles, a 57mm recoilless rifle, three 60mm mortar tubes, four M60 light machine guns, an Ultimax machine gun, two 81mm mortar tubes and 50 calibre Barret sniper rifle.

Andal Jr, a gun buff, was known to keep the Barret as one of his favourite firearms. Ownership of such a highly accurate and lethal weapon is restricted by the Philippine government to the armed forces.

Asides from these heavy weapons, also seized from Andal Jr's residence were five assault rifles as well as 11 pistols and boxes of ammunition.

Some of the boxes were marked "Department of National Defence," meaning they were part of a lot issued by the government to the armed forces and the PNP.

Earlier last Thursday, authorities seized an armoured personnel carrier and several weapons in a vacant lot fronting the house of Andal Jr. The armoured personnel carrier bore the markings of the PNP.

"These high-powered firearms should only be under the close supervision of our security forces. The mere presence of these high-powered firearms with unauthorised persons is enough evidence to charge them with violation of the law," said Verzosa.

Government detention

Andal Jr has been in government detention at the National Bureau of Investigation holding cell since November 26. He was arrested on the basis of statements issued by witnesses who said he was seen at the site of the massacre at the time it was committed.