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PNP: No reason to fear Ampatuan houses in Metro


Houses reportedly owned by the powerful Ampatuan clan in Metro Manila are unlikely to be used as staging points for violence, the police said on Thursday. Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), also said they would observe "due process" before searching these houses for possible weapons caches. “Wala kaming nakikitang problema. Ang tirahan di napagtutunan ng pansin (We do not see a problem. We do not consider the houses as threats)," Espina said in an interview on dzBB radio. He, however, said the PNP would remain alert and vigilant in Metro Manila as standard procedure against terrorism and criminality during the holiday season. On the other hand, he assured members of the Ampatuan clan that they would follow due process before searching any of the houses. Members of the Ampatuan clan, including patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his son Andal Jr., face charges for the massacre of at least 57 people last November 23. The elder Ampatuan also faces rebellion charges. On the other hand, the younger Ampatuan, who is now detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) compound in Metro Manila, may stand trial in Metro Manila after the Supreme Court approved the transfer of his murder case to Quezon City. Earlier in the day, the NBI and PNP announced they are drawing up security plans to foil possible attempts by Andal Jr.’s supporters to snatch him away from authorities. DzBB's Denevin Macaranas reported that NBI Director Nestor Mantaring ordered tight security for Ampatuan’s transport from the NBI to the venue of the court hearings in Quezon City. - LBG/KBK, GMANews.TV

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