MANILA - The capital municipality of Maguindanao province turned into a war zone as police and military disarmed hundreds of militiamen loyal to the powerful political clan of Ampatuans on Thursday.

At 4:35 a.m., troops on board military trucks and armored personnel carriers surrounded the provincial capitol's compound in Shariff Aguak, a stronghold of the Ampatuans.

Troops disarmed more than 30 members of Special Cafgu Active Auxillary securing the capitol.

Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, commander of the Armed Forces' Northern Mindanao Command, said the presence of the military at the capitol will be permanent.

The take over of the provincial capitol took place hours before the surrender of Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. to the authorities. He has been charged multiple murders for his alleged involvement in the massacre of 57 people on Monday.

The military and the police have also taken physical control of the municipal halls of Shariff Aguak town and Ampatuan town, where the massacre happened.

Ferrer said they have already disarmed 443 SCAA members and recovered 9,000 ammunitions.

Lt. Col. Wilson Reyes, commander of the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Battalion, said some SCAA members voluntarily surrendered their firearms to the military.

The Philippine National Police, meanwhile, reported that its personnel involved in the take over have confiscated 2 improvised armored vehicles mounted with two 50 caliber machine guns and a commando type vehicle from Shariff Aguak's town proper.

Security forces took control of the province three days after the massacre of 57 people, including female members of the Mangudadatu clan and more than 20 journalists.

Among those killed was the wife of Buluan town Vice-Mayor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu and his sisters who were filing a certificate of candidacy for governor on his behalf.

Reports said the Mangudadatus and the journalists were stopped and shot dead by at least 100 gunmen allegedly led by Ampatuan Jr. The gunmen were alleged militiamen and members of a private armed group of the powerful clan. -- Report by Lerio Bompat, ABS-CBN Central Mindanao