The Department of Justice has charged Andal Ampatuan, Jr., heir of a clain in Maguindanao, with the Philippines’ worst political and journalist massacre. Ampatuan directed the Maguindanao killing of 57 people comprised mainly of journalists, witnesses stated.

Three witnesses also added that they saw Ampatuan direct the Maguindanao journalist massacre with 100 gunmen, which also included police officers. Not long after, several bodies, gunned and chopped to death were found buried in three mass graves.

Though Andal Ampatuan has turned himself in already, he dies the Maguindanao journalist massacre allegiations. Six other members of the Ampatuan clan are being considered as suspects of the Maguindanao massacre, though only Andal has been charged.

Ampatuan was charged with 25 counts of murder in Cotabato city. The case will probably be tried elsewhere, though, because witnesses fear for their own safety, with the city being near to the setting of the Maguindanao journalist massacre.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared a state of emergency in Maguindanao. She also ordered police to confiscate unlicensed weapons and restore order – a difficult feat after journalists and women were slaughtered in the country’s worst political killing which will be remembered as the Maguindanao journalist massacre.