The military commander in charge of securing the provincial capitol of Maguindanao and the municipal halls of Shariff Aguak and Ampatuan towns said the Armed Forces will disarm 300 paramilitary men in the province.

Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, Armed Forces Eastern Command Mindanao chief, said his command is under orders to disarm four companies of Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgus) numbering some 300 men who are under the control of the provincial government.

"Yes, we will deactivate and recall all the guns of the special Cafgus in this area...They are not all under military supervision. They are under the control of the provincial government. Their purpose is to secure the province because the [Moro Islamic Liberation Front] has a big force here, the 103rd brigade of Umbra Kato," he said.

He added that the military will assign regular soldiers to provide security to the Ampatuan and Mangudadatu clans while tension remains.

He said soldiers and policemen are currently securing the provincial capitol to await the expected turnover of Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal "Unsay" Ampatuan Jr.  to authorities.

At least 20 Cafgus were arrested in Maguindanao province on Thursday on suspicions that they participated in the massacre of some 57 people in Ampatuan last Monday. Security officials said Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal "Unsay" Ampatuan Jr., the alleged mastermind of the massacre, is expected to surrender to Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Affairs Jesus Dureza on Thursday.

On Wednesday Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said two Special Cafgu auxiliary companies assigned in Maguindanao have been deactivated.

"All firearms, ammunitions, equipment and uniforms of the members of these companies are to be turned over to the 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. Likewise, all Mission Orders issued by the AFP in the provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City are revoked," he said.