Police arrest another suspect in Maguindanao massacre

COTABATO, Philippines (Xinhua) -- The police arrested on Friday another militia allegedly involved in the country's worst political massacre in Maguindanao province that left 57 people dead, including 30 journalists, officials said on today.

The suspect, Atutuhon Esmael, was captured by policemen at his hideout in the township of Datu Hoffer in Maguindanao around 11:00 a.m., said regional police director Chief Superintendent Bienvenido Latag.

Esmael is one of the militias who slew those 57 people on Nov. 23 last year in the town of Ampatuan, Latag said.

Chief Inspector Alexis Yap, regional police spokesman, said Friday there will be no letup in the search for militias of a Muslim clan implicated in the massacre.

"There's a court order. We will serve the warrants against them even (in) Ramadan," Yap said, adding "We cannot delay the justice. "

Muslims in the Philippines began observing Ramadan on Thursday where they fast from dawn to sunset, and then satisfy themselves with a large meal to break fast. Before Ramadan, Muslims always buy all kinds of food and sweet appetizers from dates to dried apricot juice.

Earlier this week, Moro Islamic Liberation Front's chieftain Ebrahim Murad reiterated its call to his followers in the south to refrain from cuddling the massacre suspects.

Of the 196 people implicated in the mass killing, 64 people have already been detained. The other suspects remain at large.

Former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., his son, former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., his other son, Zaldy Ampatuan, the former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, have been jailed while being tried for the massacre.

Among those killed in the massacre were wife of Maguindanao Governor Ismael Mangudadatu, his sisters, supporters and at least 30 journalists.

The group was waylaid on their way to the local Commission on Election office to file Mangudadatu's certificate of candidacy for governor.