Philippine police, troops accused of gambling massacre

MANILA (AFP) - Philippine authorities said on Wednesday that dozens of police and military personnel would be charged with murder for "summarily executing" 13 people in a gambling turf war.

The accused police initially reported those slain in a rural town about three hours's drive from Manila in January were members of a criminal gang who engaged them in a gunbattle after ramming through a security road block.

But after media reports showed that among those killed was a local illegal gambling lord, as well as five police and military officers who were protecting him, President Benigno Aquino ordered an investigation.

"The victims were summarily executed and all indications point to a rubout (slang for execution)," said Aquino's spokeswoman, Abigail Valte, quoting a 64-page report by the justice department recommending the charges.