07 December 2009 - 01H24  

Over 3,000 gunmen a threat in Philippine province: army
Policemen stand guard near the stable at the compound of the powerful Ampatuan clan after authorities searched the area for weapons in Shariff Aguak, in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao. The Philippine military said Monday over 3,000 armed followers of a powerful Muslim clan whose provincial stronghold was placed under martial law after a massacre remain a threat.
Policemen stand guard near the stable at the compound of the powerful Ampatuan clan after authorities searched the area for weapons in Shariff Aguak, in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao. The Philippine military said Monday over 3,000 armed followers of a powerful Muslim clan whose provincial stronghold was placed under martial law after a massacre remain a threat.

AFP - The Philippine military said Monday over 3,000 armed followers of a powerful Muslim clan whose provincial stronghold was placed under martial law after a massacre remain a threat.

"The number would not be less than 3,000," said Lieutenant General Raymundo Ferrer, whose forces took over the southern province of Maguindanao after it was placed under martial law on Friday night.

"These (militiamen) are in hiding with their weapons. They have said they will fight and there are many of them," Ferrer told radio station DZBB from his base in the south.

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