Philippine police have named Andal Ampatuan Junior, mayor of the town of Datu Unsay and member of a powerful clan allied to Philippine President Gloria Arroyo's ruling coalition, as the chief suspect in the massacre of 52 political opponents in Mindanao on Monday.

Rumours that the Ampatuan clan was behind the murders have been circulating for some time. Andal Ampatuan senior is the three-time governor of Maguindanao province and member of the ruling Lakas Kampi CMD coalition and an extremely powerful regional politician.
 

The massacre took place at the village on the outskirts of the town of Ampatuan and the victims include the wife and relatives of Esmael Mangudadatu, a rival politician who was planning to run as opposition candidate for governor in next year's elections.
 

President Gloria Arroyo has vowed to bring the culprits to justice and has called on the Ampatuan clan, which has its own private army, to co-operate with police. Governor Ampatuan promised to fully co-operate with the investigation.