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Philippines rebels under attack Thousands flee Philippine clashes
(2 days later)
The Philippine military has launched an attack on Muslim fighters who defied a deadline to pull out from Christian villages in the country's south. Nearly 130,000 people have fled their homes following renewed fighting in the southern Philippines between the army and Muslim rebels, officials have said.
One soldier died as troops and rebels exchanged fire, officials said.
Many of the 800 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels had ignored a 24-hour deadline to leave the villages in North Cotabato province, the army said.
There has been controversy in the region over a deal to expand a Muslim autonomous zone there.There has been controversy in the region over a deal to expand a Muslim autonomous zone there.
The renewed fighting came days after a deal between the two sides was blocked by the courts. The tensions in North Cotabato province came a week after a formal deal on the expansion was blocked by the courts.
On Monday, the Supreme Court had delayed the signing of an agreement which would have allowed for the expansion of the autonomous Muslim homeland. The military said the violence would not halt voting in elections in the nearby autonomous region of Mindanao.
Ceasfire panels Voters there are choosing a new governor, vice governor and members of a regional legislative assembly.
At least two soldiers were wounded by MILF snipers in the village in Pikit, security officials said. North Cotabato is not part of the vote, because it is not included in the five-province Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, which was created in a 1996 peace accord between the government and Muslim rebels.
The MILF, which is supposed to be observing a ceasefire, said they had not started the fighting. Regaining ground
"We don't know what will happen next but this will certainly have an adverse impact on peace talks," said Eid Kabalu, a spokesman for the group which had displaced around 6,500 people when it occupied the villages. Troops began their attack on Sunday, after Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in North Cotabato ignored a 24-hour deadline to leave the area.
An army commander in the area said the Philippine troops were "only taking actions against the breakaway MILF group that defied the orders of the ceasefire panels". Soldiers continued to bomb Muslim rebel positions for a second day on Monday.
The government and MILF rebels had been discussing a deal which would see the zone expanded in exchange for the end of a decades-long insurgency. They regained control of two villages, and are still aiming to regain 13 others, military vice chief of staff Lt Gen Cardozo Luna told the Associated Press.
But on Monday the Supreme Court suspended the deal, following complaints from Christian lawmakers in the region. At least one soldier and seven rebel fighters have been killed since the attack began.
'Recalcitrants' Reports say many of the villages still occupied by the MILF are on the provincial border of mainly Christian North Cotabato and mainly Muslim Maguindanao.
Many of the occupied villages are on the provincial border of mainly Christian North Cotabato and mainly Muslim Maguindanao, which contains some large rural MILF camps. Some 800 MILF rebels had occupied several southern villages
The rebels are said to be frustrated at the fresh obstacles towards agreeing to expand the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).The rebels are said to be frustrated at the fresh obstacles towards agreeing to expand the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Regional tensions have grown since the plan was agreed, with Christians fearful of the greater powers that would be granted to rebels.Regional tensions have grown since the plan was agreed, with Christians fearful of the greater powers that would be granted to rebels.
The expanded zone, which would be subject to approval in a local plebiscite, would include another 712 villages.The expanded zone, which would be subject to approval in a local plebiscite, would include another 712 villages.
Local leaders would also be entitled to a large share of the region's rich resources.Local leaders would also be entitled to a large share of the region's rich resources.