Security forces seized thousands of rounds of explosives and ammunition for various types of firearms in Mamasapano town in a continuing effort to disarm the powerful Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao, a police spokesman said Sunday.

Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said that the stockpile of ammunition were discovered hidden on Thursday in a corn farm in Mamasapano town owned by Maguindanao Vice Governor Akmad Tato Ampatuan.

The discovery came a day after policemen stumbled upon thousands of rounds of ammunition for high-powered firearms on the house of a relative of Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. who is also the principal suspect in the Maguindanao massacre on November 23 last year wherein 32 journalists and 25 civilians were brutally murdered.

Seized were 3,040 rounds of cal 7.62mm; 420 rounds of 5.56mm; 3,900 rounds of 5.56mm linked ammunition for K3 light machinegun; 4,000 rounds of linked cal.30 machinegun; 17 rounds of High Explosive 90mm ammunition for recoilless rifle; 48 pieces 81mm High Explosive mortar shells; 90 pieces 60 mm High Explosive mortar shells; and, 3,700 rounds of linked ammunition for cal.50 heavy machinegun.

The discovery prompted Director General Jesus Verzosa, PNP chief, to ask the the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) to introduce tougher measures against possession and trafficking of explosives.

“The possibilities are unimaginable if these explosives will fall into the wrong hands and used against government troops,” said Verzosa.

Police and military operatives have been scouring all the areas in Maguindanao to account for thousands of guns and and ammunition owned by the Ampatuan clan following the downfall of the family as a result of the infamous massacre.

Intelligence reports revealed that the armory of the Ampatuan clan is enough to arm battalions of soldiers, adding that they were all used for their private armies when they still lord over Maguindanao.

Among those seized in earlier raids were improvised war vehicles, high-powered firearms and ammunition which they allegedly acquire when the government used the Ampatuans in the fight against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).