COTABATO CITY, Philippines—The Ampatuans—Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, his father Datu Andal Sr. and other relatives and supporters—are locked inside their homes in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

“We are inside the house and we are prevented from leaving,” a member of Ampatuan’s staff who requested not to be identified, told reporters. “The soldiers have locked the mansions’ main entrance and exit gates.”

The ARMM governor, in a statement e-mailed to the Inquirer at around 3 p.m., said he was “at loss” why his official staff, friends, supporters and members of the media were prevented from seeing him.

“Why are soldiers posted at the gate [of my house] and that of my father’s and brothers’, and why we are prevented from moving in and out is beyond me,” the ARMM governor said.

“Are there warrants to be served, suspension orders to be delivered? By all means implement them if they are obtained in accordance with law,” he added.

The regional governor also called on the Commission on Human Rights to “be vigilant in protecting our trampled rights and other innocent people of ARMM.”