In the Philippines, a member of a powerful clan accused over a massacre of 57 people in the southern part of the country has been charged with multiple murders. Andal Ampatuan, a mayor from lawless Maguindanao province, surrendered last week and has denied involvement. Prosecutors say that Andal Ampatuan has been charged with 25 counts of murder. Those killed were trying to file nomination papers for a candidate challenging Mr Ampatuan in next year's gubernatorial elections.<br/><br/>The group – which included relatives of the candidate, lawyers and journalists – were taken to a remote hill region and shot at close range. Their bodies were then dumped in shallow graves. Elections in the Philippines are often hit by violence but this incident has horrified the nation. Philippines President Gloria Arroyo, who has received support in the past from the Ampatuan clan has promised that the killers will be brought to justice.<br/><br/>