Zaldy Ampatuan enters not guilty plea

MANILA, Philippines - Former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan on Wednesday entered a not guilty plea for the 57 counts of murder in connection with the Maguindanao massacre case.

"I'm not guilty," Ampatuan told Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court branch 112 during his arraignment at the makeshift courtroom in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City where he and other accused are now detained.

Ampatuan is one of the principal accused in the carnage. Also implicated is his father ex-Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan, Sr.and brother, former Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr.

The three Ampatuans stand trial for the killing of 57 people, including 32 journalists and media workers, in Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009.

Aside from the three men, several members of the local police and the Ampatuans' private army were also charged with multiple murder cases.

Around 91 people, including several members of the Ampatuan clan, are still at large.