Mayor denies murder after election massacre

A MEMBER of a powerful political clan yesterday pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the Philippines' worst election massacre of 57 people, including journalists and members of a rival's family.

Andal Ampatuan jnr, a town mayor in Maguindanao province where his family have ruled unopposed for years, has been initially charged with 41 counts of murder in the attack on an election caravan in the volatile southern Philippines on 23 November.

Ampatuan stood emotionless beside his lawyer as charges were read out accusing him of "conspiring, confederating and mutually helping" others in the gruesome murders. He is the only suspect charged with murder in the killings thus far.

Prosecutors said there was "evident premeditation" in the killings, characterised by the use of "superior strength, treachery and cruelty".

They said they had witnesses who would testify that Ampatuan led more than 100 government-armed militiamen and police in stopping the caravan at a security checkpoint outside Ampatuan township, and then forcing the victims at gunpoint to a hilltop clearing, where they were gunned down and buried in mass graves.

Among those killed were at least 30 journalists, in what is considered the world's deadliest single attack on media workers.