MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) The Department of Justice (DoJ) has filed over 20 counts of murder against Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. before the Cotabato regional trial court, an official said.

Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno said Tuesday that 25 charges were filed against Ampatuan and that more were expected to be filed as medico-legal reports on the Maguindanao massacre victims would be coming in.

General Santos City Prosecutor Edilberto Jamora, who filed the charges against Ampatuan, son of Maguidanao Governor Ampatuan Sr., with Judge Melanio Guerrero of the regional trial court Branch 15 in Cotabato City, was reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer to have submitted 22 cases.

Jamora arrived in Cotabato City on a military helicopter from Tacurong City and was escorted by police operatives under Task Force 12 Alpha to the Hall of Justice which has jurisdiction over Maguindanao province.

All those attending the court proceedings at the time the charges were filed at 9:45 a.m. were frisked by the military.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Ponce, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the inspection of anyone coming into the ARMM compound where the Hall of Justice was located was among the precautionary measures they have been implementing since the massacre.

“That is a preventive measure. We are ensuring the safety of all. The situation is different now,” Ponce told reporters.

Ampatuan is believed to be the brains behind the grisly murders of 64 people in Maguindanao on November 23. The victims included 30 members of media.