Before a special court in Manila, Philippine politician Andal Ampatuan Junior has pleaded not guilty to charges of being behind the massacre in November last year in the province of Maguindanao. 

Fifty-seven people were killed in the attack. The victims were supporters and relatives of Esmael Mangudadatu, Mr Ampatuan’s rival in the campaign for the governorship of Maguindanao.

Mr Ampatuan is charged with leading a gang of around 100 men in the attack on a convoy of Mr Mangudadatu’s supporters. The victims were systematically murdered and their bodies dumped in mass roadside graves.

The Ampatuans are a powerful and notorious clan in the Philippines. Andal Ampatuan Senior, the sitting governor, is also under arrest in connection with the attack.