MANILA, Philippines—The government will not stop in its pursuit of the people behind the massacre of at least 57 people in Maguindanao even with the arrest and charging of one of the perpetrators, Andal Ampatuan Jr., the mayor of Datu Unsay town, Malacañang said Friday.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has reiterated her order to “apply the full force of the law” and use the needed government resources to give justice to the victims, her Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said.

Arroyo met with Remonde, Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Justice Secretary Ronaldo Puno and Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno early Friday where she gave fresh instructions to ensure swift justice to the victims.

Ampatuan has been charged with multiple murder for allegedly ordering the mass murder.

Asked if the government was considering the Ampatuan as the brains behind the massacre, Remonde said, “We are not limiting it to Datu Unsay (Mayor Ampatuan), but perhaps to other people who are also possibly involved.”

Remonde also assured that the government would take care of the security of the witnesses and their families.

“We would like to assure the protection and welfare of all witnesses. All steps shall be taken by the government not only to give security to the witnesses (but to) even take care of the welfare of their families . . . to be able to build a strong case against the culprits of this heinous crime,” he said at the Palace’s weekly briefing aired live over government station Radyo ng Bayan.