MANILA - Fifteen female victims of the November 23 Ampatuan massacre tested negative for rape, findings of the National Bureau of Investigation's (NBI) medico-legal team revealed Tuesday.

NBI Medico-Legal Division chief Atty. Floresto Arizala said that in vaginal smear tests done on the victims, none of the 15 female victims, including the wife of Buluan vice mayor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu and three of his female relatives, had human sperm traces, ruling out rape.

"Based on the result of the autopsy and study of semenology, there were no signs of recent carnal knowledge on 15 female victims. Wala signs na sinalbahe sila [There were no signs that they were abused]," Arizala said.

The NBI said that the opening of the zippers and buttons of the women victims could be due to the bloating of the bodies.

He also clarified that despite the fact that sperm traces disappear within 72 hours, and the tests were done on the 4th day after the incident, NBI doctors found no physical traces of rape on the victims.

Bulet slugs recovered from the victims' bodies have also been tested by the NBI.

The NBI medico-legal team has done forensic exams on a total of 20 victims of the massacre.

25 counts of murder filed vs Ampatuan Jr.

Government prosecutors on Tuesday filed 25 counts of murder against Datu Unsay, Maguindanao Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. as principal suspect in the massacre of 57 civilians in Ampatuan town last November 23.

The case was filed by an investigation panel from Manila headed by State Prosecutor Leo Dacera.

Two boxes of documents were presented before Cotabato Regional Trial Court Branch 15 Clerk of Court Umaima Silongan.

Atty. Edilberto Jamora, the panel's spokesman, explained that each count is represented by almost 40 pages of documents.

"We only filed 25 because at the time of the inquest proceedings, those were only available medical records of the victims," he said.

He added that more charges will be filed against the Datu Unsay mayor as the investigation continues.

He said the most crucial evidence presented by the panel is a phone conversation between Biliran Vice-Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu and his wife, who was among those killed in the massacre.

According to Jamora, the Court will now try to resolve if there is probable cause and eventual issuance of warrants against suspects who may be identified in the proceedings. They will also try to petition the transfer of proceedings from this region.

Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera earlier said she will request for the transfer of venue to Manila as there are no judges in Cotabato City.

Andal Jr. belongs to the powerful Ampatuan political clan. He is the son of Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan, Sr., and brother of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan. With reports from Maan Macapagal and Jorge Cariño, ABS-CBN News