MANILA - Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., the prime suspect in the Maguidanao massacre, should be charged not just with multiple murder but terrorism, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said on Friday.

Speaking to reporters after filing her certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator, Santiago cited the Human Security Act, which states that anyone who creates fear among the public to push for an unlawful demand should be penalized as a terrorist.

"The circumstance is sowing and creating widespread, extraordinary fear to the populace," she said, referring to Monday's massacre of 57 people. In that case, she explained, the Ampatuans were making the unlawful demand of making sure only they could run in the elections.

Santiago also criticized the government for its poor handling of the case.

"I don't see why the suspect was not detained immediately after 12 hours. That's the SOP [standard operating procedure]," she said. "We cannot treat the suspects here ... in a manner separate from people implicated in a crime and who are placed under normal procedures."

"Can you imagine that in the 21st century, someone has the mentality to prepare well in advance the murder of 57 people ... and get away with impunity?" she added.

Santiago called on the country's top police and military officials to resign for failing to discipline local police and military forces in Maguindanao, whom, she said, have been bought by the Ampatuans.

She said the Human Security Act allows the police and military to put the suspect and his family under surveillance, since there have reportedly been rumors early on about their plot to kill the Mangudadatus. "But they did not have the guts to do that."