Suspect of 2009 massacre arrested in Maguindanao

COTABATO, Philippines (Xinhua) - A man believed involved in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre that left 58 people dead was arrested by the military after a clash between government troops and a group of armed men this morning in the restive southern Philippines.

Colonel Dickson Hermoso, spokesperson for the Philippine Army's 6th Division, said a suspect named Talembo Masukat, who has been wanted for alleged involvement in the mass killing in 2009, was captured by security forces after he was seen at the scene of encounter in Mamasapano in the province of Maguindanao.

The suspect's relatives said the authorities have arrested the wrong guy, saying his real name is Talimbo Abdulrahman who was a former town councillor of Mamasapano. However, he was turned over to the police by the military.

According to Hermoso, the fighting erupted at around 7:00 a.m. when soldiers who were conducting security patrol in a remote village of Mamasapano encountered undetermined number of armed men.

A gun battle ensued, leaving one dead on the enemy side and a government soldier, identified as Captain Louie Male, injured, he said.

The Maguindanao massacre occurred on November 23, 2009 in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province. Of the 58 people died in the incident, at least 30 of them were journalists.