MANILA, Philippines, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Philippine authorities, investigating the Nov. 23 massacre, report finding a huge cache of high-powered firearms near the Ampatuan family home.
Officials told the Manila Bulletin the buried discovery in Maguindanao was "enough to arm a battalion" and included a 60mm mortar, issued only to special police and military units.
The firearms, buried deeply near homes of some suspects in the killing rampage, were to be subjected to ballistics tests to determine if there was any connection with the assault on journalists, media workers and civilians in Ampatuan town last week.
Director General Jesus Verzosa of the Philippine National Police said the mortar was found in raids Friday on the houses of four Ampatuan family members, including that of Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his son, Andal Ampatuan Jr., the mayor of Daru Unsay.
Verzosa said they were expecting to arrest one of the Ampatuans near whose house the mortar was recovered.
Victims of the massacre belonged to a convoy that sought to file the certificate of candidacy of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu as governor of Maguindanao when heavily armed men intercepted them.
