No bail for Philippines suspect

The man accused of masterminding last November’s massacre in the southern Philippines has had his request for bail rejected by a court in the capital, Manila.

Andal Ampatuan Jr is facing 41 counts of murder for allegedly leading the attack on a convoy of political rivals and a group of accompanying journalists in Maguindanao province.

According to prosecutors, at least 10 witnesses have said Ampatuan Jr led 100 of his armed men in the ambush on the convoy on November 23.

Prosecutors allege they then murdered 57 people, including the wife and two sisters of political rival Esmael Mangudadatu.

The dead were killed and buried in shallow pits or dumped in grasslands just near the national highway in Maguindanao province.