MANILA, Philippines? The Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Sunday, it has been monitoring the massing up of supporters of the Ampatuan political clan, which has been implicated in the Maguindnao massacre.

"We are in control of these places and [we are ensuring] the safety of innocent civilians particularly in Maguindanao, Cotabato City and other Ampatuan areas," the AFP spokesperson, Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., said on Sunday.

He also disclosed on Sunday reports of gathering of followers of the Ampatuan rival, the Mangudadatu clan, which suffered a heavy loss of lives in the massacre that took place in Ampatuan town on Nov. 23.

At least 64 people, including the wife, sisters and supporters of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu and journalists were killed in the attack.

Although he described the situation in the province as "stable," Brawner said the massing up of supporters from the two rival clans was still cause for concern for government troops in the province.
"This is why checkpoints are being conducted in and out of Shariff Aguak and Ampatuan by the police and our Army units so we could [manage these movements]," the military spokesperson said.

A fresh force from several Army battalions and companies brought to 3,000 the number of troops deployed in total to oversee the situation in the province.

Brawner also reported that security forces manning checkpoints in the province have already made several arrests of armed groups going in and out of Shariff Aguak and Ampatuan towns, among others. "We've also confiscated their firearms, he added.

But he could not yet give the number of people arrested so far.