Ampatuan massacre suspect hurt in clash

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- A suspect in the Ampatuan massacre was wounded when his group and government troops clashed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, Saturday, reports said.

Authorities identified the massacre suspect as Tammy Talimbong.

A still unidentified companion of Talimbong was killed in the encounter, reports from the Criminal Investigation and Detection (CIDG) Maguindanao said.

An Army official identified as Captain Louie Male of the 45th Infantry Battalion was also wounded during the clash.

Male was leading a team in patrolling the highway in Manungkaling district in Mamasapano town when they encountered Talimbong's group.

The soldiers were sent to the area to secure residents from armed groups.

When authorities had Talimbong's identity checked, they found out the suspect was a former member of Ampatuan militia and was wanted for alleged involvement in the massacre in 2009 where 58 people were killed, 32 of whom are journalists.

Talimbong was placed in the custody of CIDG, reports said.

A week ago, police in Maguindanao shot dead a suspect in the 2009 Ampatuan massacre when he allegedly resisted arrest after he was cornered at his hideout in Datu Unsay town.

Reports said Maguid Amil suffered multiple gunshot wounds when policemen serving the warrant for his arrest shot him while he was trying to remove the safety pin of a grenade on February 10.