Maguindanao Massacre Update: Palace to help clear name of Ampatuan Junior

A source who requested anonymity, said that one of the negotiating points discussed between the Ampatuans and the palace, led by Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza is for the younger Andal Ampatuan to be taken into custody but not be thrown to jail during the investigation stage. The negotiations happened inside the Ampatuan compound. Dureza reportedly asked the Ampatuans to hand over the 40-year old mayor and calmly told the warlord clan to consider subjecting himself to investigation.

One of the points negotiated, says the source, is for the palace to help clear the name of the Ampatuans. The Ampatuans deny involvement in the massacre, which killed 57 people, despite overwhelming evidence against them.

The younger Ampatuan reportedly beefed his security detail. One of the things which, says the source, the Ampatuans consider is to take Dureza hostage.