Arroyo's coalition expels members over killings

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Updated November 26, 2009 13:54:30

In the Philippines President Gloria Arroyo's ruling coalition has expelled three members of a prominent political family, accused of involvement in a political massacre that killed at least 57 people.

Mrs Arroyo is facing increasing pressure to take decisive action as more bodies were pulled out of shallow graves and relatives of the victims reported details of the killings, including the shooting deaths of two pregnant women. Philippine police say the top suspect is Andal Ampatuan Junior, a member of Mrs Arroyo's ruling coalition and the son of a powerful regional politician who had helped secure votes for the president in previous elections.

Presenter: Sen Lam
Speaker: Neri Colmenares, opposition MP and human rights lawyer with Counsels for the Defence of Civil Liberties in the Philippines (CODAL)

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