Police officers rounded up in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- More than 300 police and paramilitary personnel have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the Mindanao massacre, Philippine officials said Friday.

The suspects include Andal Ampatruan Jr., son of the provincial governor of Maguindanao and mayor of Datu Unsay. He is a scion of a powerful family with close ties to President Gloria Arroyo, The Manila Times reported.

Ampatuan denied any involved in the slaughter Monday of 57 people. About 100 gunmen confronted gubernatorial candidate Ismael Mangudadatu's wife, two sisters and others as they traveled to file his election papers.

Ronaldo Puno, secretary of the interior and local government, said more than 300 police officers and members of local paramilitary groups have been arrested. He said he has urged Arroyo to suspend provincial officials in Maguindanao, including the governor.

He said the national government's efforts to respond to the killings were delayed because local police could not be trusted.

"It was very difficult for us to rely on the local military and police forces to carry out the directives of the central headquarters on both the armed forces and police side," he said.

The dead included 12 journalists.

The younger Ampatuan has been charged with seven counts of murder.