Philippine massacre probe focuses on Arroyo ally

National police Chief Jesus Versoza said the four commanders were relieved of duty and confined to camp while being investigated.

Pro-government militiamen are meant to act as an auxiliary force mobilized by the police or military to fight rebels and criminals, but often act as private enforcers of local warlords.

Arroyo declared a state of emergency in Maguindanao and a neighboring southern province, sending extra troops and police to try to impose the rule of law. Troops set up checkpoints to confiscate illegal weapons, military spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said.

Few think Arroyo will be successful in the impoverished, lawless region that has been outside the central government's reach for generations, and where warlords backed by private armies go by their own rules.

Maguindanao's acting governor is Sajid Ampatuan, another son of former Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., the clan's patriarch. Members of the family could not be reached for comment.

The clan helped deliver votes for the Arroyo administration in 2004 elections. Human Rights Watch expressed concern Wednesday that the administration's relationship with the family would hinder an impartial investigation.

Arroyo's peace adviser, Jesus Dureza, said he met Tuesday with Andal Ampatuan Sr. and received assurances that his family would cooperate in the probe.

"I have run out of words to describe this. It's ignominious, bestial," Leila de Lima, chairwoman of the independent Commission on Human Rights, said of Monday's attack.

She said there was "strong circumstantial evidence" implicating the Ampatuans.

"I am sure the president must be agonizing now ... but it's a great test of political will, how far the national authorities can go in terms of swift and decisive action. Anything less than that, well, people would be able to put them to task," she said.

Ban, the U.N. chief, condemned the "heinous crime committed in the context of a local election campaign" and hoped that "no effort will be spared to bring justice and to hold the perpetrators accountable," U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas said.

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