Thursday, January 26, 2012

News Update Villagers disarmed by Philippines police for fishermen massacre

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Philippine police say they have disarmed villagers on a southern island as part of an investigation into a massacre that killed 15 fishermen in a suspected feud over lucrative fishing grounds.

Regional police officer Felicisimo Khu said on Wednesday that the Sibago Island residents and their confiscated guns will be tested to determine if they fired the weapons in Monday's attack on a group of rival fishermen who were aboard three boats.

He says no suspects have been named.

Mr Khu says only four bodies have been recovered from the sea but the other 11 fishermen are missing and presumed dead. He says visiting United States troops sent a plane to help in the search.