Philippines' chief orders private army end

MANILA, Philippines, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in the aftermath of last week's massacre, ordered dismantling of political clan-dominated private armies Friday.

She also set up a commission to oversee progress in Maguindanao, scene of the mass killings that claimed 57 lives, and other hot spots in the Philippines during a meeting of the National Security Council in Manila.

Jesus Verzosa, the Philippine National Police director general. said he believes the private armed group of Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. of Datu Unsay town carried out the massacre of journalists, media workers and civilians, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

The PNP was expected to step up the dismantling well ahead of the May 2010 elections and would need the guidance of such a commission, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said.

Maguindanao as well as Basilan, Sulu, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Samar, Masbate, Nueva Ecija and Abra are on the initial list of election "hot spots'' because of the presence of private armies, Verzosa said.