The man suspected of being the brain behind Monday’s election-linked massacre in the Philippines, local mayor Andal Ampatuan Junior, has turned himself in to the authorities. He denies having orchestrated the killings.

The Philippine police previously arrested more than 20 people on suspicion of involvement in the bloodbath. According to Philippine media reports they are members of a militia led by Mr Ampatuan Junior. The arrested man’s father, Andal Ampatuan Senior, is provincial governor and an ally of President Gloria Arroyo.

In the village of Saniag on Monday, family and supporters of local politician Esmael Mangudadatu were on their way to register his candidacy as a challenger to Mr Ampatuan Senior in elections. They were intercepted and brutally murdered by around 100 armed men. So far 57 bodies have been found in mass graves.