As a result of more than 60 people brutally massacred in Maguindanao, Philippines, the government has declared Martial Law to neutralize armed elements roaming the province.  This has been influenced by  a strong clan, suspected behind the brutal killings.  Ampatuan family, currently holding major government posts in the ARMM region, are the primary suspects nowadays.  Government forces led by military and police justified the declaration as they find it difficult to search and make arrest in the region governed by a powerful clan that has the capability to wage war against government forces for many decades.  Following the said declaration, the government forces, accompanied by journalists, stormed through various mansions owned by the Ampatuan family  found hidden weapons, high-powered guns and ammunitions.  Citizens also helped in pointing hidden armory, some 500 meters away from the Ampatuan mansion.  The police sought the assistance of K-9 dogs and detecting devices, and  positively, the citizens were right.  The police unearthed several ammunitions capable of supplying a batallion in the military to wage war.   Various discoveries of hidden weapons in different mansions owned by the family,  has triggered  the government to file rebellion charges against the Ampatuan family.  Th Ampatuans were later brought  to court facing various criminal charges, while the world is monitoring the Maguindanao incident.  Intelligence report gathered local supporters of the Ampatuans are forming groups to prevent arrest on the Ampatuan family and to destablilize government efforts in the southern part of the Philippines.

(Photos credited to AP,  AFP, and Reuters)