Across Asia: Philippines

Nearly 200 charged

Philippine prosecutors filed charges yesterday against the head of a powerful clan and 195 others in the biggest and deadliest murder case since the country's World War II war crimes trials.

The indictment said Andal Ampatuan Sr. and the others were part of a conspiracy to ambush and kill members of the rival Mangudadatu family and supporters, who were gunned down Nov 23 on a hilltop in Maguindanao province.