Manila: A court in the Philippines has dismissed rebellion charges against a powerful Muslim clan accused of being behind an election-linked massacre of 57 people, the justice secretary said Monday.
"I have received information that the judge dismissed the rebellion case and his order is to release those detained," Alberto Agra told DZBB radio.
But Agra said the government intended to appeal the lower court's ruling, and the members of the Ampatuan clan still faced murder charges, so they would not be released from detention.
The Ampatuans are accused of orchestrating the killing of 57 people in the strife-torn southern province of Maguindanao in November last year to stop a rival politician from running against a clan member in national elections.
The patriarch of the clan, Andal Ampatuan Snr, was then the governor of Maguindanao. He was grooming a son and namesake to succeed him in the elections to be held in May this year.
The wife and a pregnant sister of the rival politician, along with 32 journalists travelling with the relatives to register his candidacy for Maguindanao governor, were among the victims.
Ampatuan Snr and four of his other sons were among 24 people charged with rebellion in December for allegedly trying to rise up against the government.
President Gloria Arroyo imposed martial law for nine days after the massacre, saying the move was necessary because the Ampatuans had tried to use their own private army of 3,000 militiamen in the alleged rebellion.
Agra said the order of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, which is processing all charges against the Ampatuans, to release those charged with rebellion was not valid.
"They should continue to be detained because there is probable cause for murder," he said, adding the government intended to also appeal the Quezon City court's decision.
"What I promise is that I will raise this to the Supreme Court."
