MANILA, Philippines?The Philippine National Police has filed complaints for multiple murder before the Department of Justice against 100 new respondents in connection with the Maguindanao massacre, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said Friday.

In a news conference, Devanadera said the 100 new respondents are mostly members of the Civilian Volunteer Organization loyal to the Ampatuan clan.

?These new respondents will undergo preliminary investigation because they are being charged for murder,? Devanadera said.

?We now have a total of 183 respondents and the only accused, meaning the one whose case is already in court is (Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr.),? she added.

Devanadera said witnesses, ?who have now surfaced and completed the testimony on all aspects of the massacre," identified the new respondents through documents containing their pictures.

?The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group [of the PNP] filed the case. They conducted the investigation. Ninety percent are CVOs, the others are actually also almost like CVO?s,? Devanadera said.

?In Maguindanao, we have several groups called force multipliers, either of AFP or PNP, civilians who used to be called paramilitaries, now Cafgu?s or CVO?s,? she added.