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AARON FAVILA and JIM GOMEZ Associated Press Writers

AMPATUAN, Philippines — Under threat of military attack, the scion of the clan suspected in the slaughter of 57 people in the southern Philippines turned himself in Thursday, and prosecutors say he will face murder charges in the country’s worst election violence.

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A relative cries during burial rites for massacred members of the Mangudadatu family in Buluan town, Philippines Thursday.

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Andal Ampatuan Jr., a town mayor, maintains he had nothing to do with the ambush of a convoy carrying his political rival’s family, supporters and at least 22 journalists. Their bodies — mowed down by point-blank shots and some hacked up — were found in mass graves dug by a backhoe.

The baby-faced 41-year-old is heir to the Ampatuan kingdom: impoverished, rural and lawless Maguindanao province, where they have ruled for years with a reputation for ruthlessness that led few to dare to challenge them. Hundreds of pro-government militiamen in their employ have been disarmed since the massacre.

Ismael Mangudadatu, vice mayor of Buluan township, did the unthinkable when he decided to file his candidacy for governorship in May 2010 elections. Having received death threats, he sent his wife, sisters and other female relatives to submit his papers, hoping that women would be spared the kind of violence that regularly reigns in the region.

Asked by reporters if he was involved in the killings, Ampatuan, who tried to hide his face with a scarf as he was ferried from his home province, replied: “There is no truth to that. The reason I came out is to prove that I am not hiding and that I am not guilty.”

Ampatuan gave himself up to presidential adviser Jesus Dureza following days of negotiations and hours after troops and police sent in tanks, trucks and armored carriers around administrative buildings. Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno had threatened to attack the family compound unless they turned over Ampatuan by midday Thursday.

Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno said he has instructed his staff to work overnight to prepare charges against Ampatuan. He is the only suspect named by police.