Close to 200 fully-armed members of the Civilian Volunteers Organization (CVO) believed to be followers of powerful warlords in Maguindanao voluntarily surrendered to government forces and turned over their firearms one week after martial law was imposed in the province, the Armed Forces said Friday.

AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said more than 1,000 high-powered firearms and at least 430,000 rounds of assorted ammunitions were seized by government forces in a series of raids in various houses and warehouses of the Ampatuans.

Lt. Col. Michael Samson, spokesman of the military in Maguindanao, said 70 militiamen in Buluan town surrendered to authorities on Wednesday, 61 from Datu Piang and 24 from Rajah Buayan last Thursday, and 14 from Talayan on Friday.

Upon their surrender, the group presented leaflets earlier dropped by military air planes and helicopters urging them to surrender. The leaflets also doubled as their safe conduct passes.

Also last Friday, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said the murder charges against members of the Ampatuan clan involved in the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao recently would be separate from the charges of rebellion they are facing.

Devanadera also announced that 130 members of CVOs who are alleged to have carried out the massacre of 57people in Maguindanao were charged with murder before the Department of Justice (DoJ).

Those who surrendered are now undergoing investigation and processing to find out if they were part of the more than 100 armed supporters of Datu Unsay Mayor Zaldy Ampatuan Jr., who allegedly took part in the massacre.

Samson said the investigation is centered on 24 auxiliary men from Rajah Buayan.

Meanwhile, Brawner said the Armed Forces will continue to disband groups of more than 2,000 armed men loyal to the Ampatuan clan.

Brawner said the troops on the ground are focused on their mission to disband armed groups in Maguindanao despite accusations of alleged abuses.

Latest intelligence reports showed that loyal armed supporters of the Ampatuans have entrenched themselves in three areas at the outskirts of Maguindanao, he said.

Meanwhile, Malacañang is confident that Congress will uphold President Arroyo's proclamation of martial law in Maguindanao and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in the province.

"Under the prevailing circumstances in Maguindanao, I sincerely believe Congress and the Supreme Court will uphold the right of the President to declare martial law," said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde at Friday's press conference.

Remonde said that after hearing the government's presentation of the series of events that led to the issuance of Proclamation No. 1959, the House of Representatives and the Senate will uphold the prerogative of the President to employ all means available to her under the Constitution and the law to quell armed rebellion and suppress lawless violence.

Secretary Devanadera said the 130 CVos, who are alleged to be part of the private army of the Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao, are each facing multiple murders for the massacre of 57 people in the province three weeks ago.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the police filed the multiple murder charges against the 130 CVOs, bringing to 183 the number of persons charged with murder for the massacre in Maguindanao.

Devanadera said preliminary investigation will be conducted against the 130 CVOs charged with murder.

The other suspects, including several members of the Ampatuan clan who are accused of involvement in the massacre are also scheduled for preliminary investigation next week on charges of multiple murder. (With a report by Evelyn Quirino)