This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6322875.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Gunmen storm Philippines prison Gunmen storm Philippines prison
(about 2 hours later)
Suspected Muslim rebels have stormed a jail in the southern Philippines, freeing at least 47 prisoners, officials have said. Suspected Muslim rebels have stormed a jail in the southern Philippines, freeing 47 prisoners, officials have said.
They said at least 25 attackers with guns and grenade launchers attacked the jail in Kidapawan city, about 960km (600 miles) south of Manila. About 25 attackers, armed with guns and grenade launchers, attacked the jail in Kidapawan city, on the island of Mindanao.
They blasted a hole in the prison's wall, before fleeing with the inmates.They blasted a hole in the prison's wall, before fleeing with the inmates.
Reports say two people were wounded during the attack. The authorities have launched a massive manhunt. The authorities have launched a massive manhunt to find the escapees, many of whom are accused of serious crimes.
"We were caught with our pants down," Emmanuel Pinot, governor of the Mindanao region, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. Some are also thought to be members of the MILF rebel group, which is supposed to have negotiated a ceasefire with the government.
"I have ordered police to shoot these very dangerous people if they will resist arrest. They are better dead than a menace to our communities," the governor said. "We were caught with our pants down," Emmanuel Pinot, governor of the Mindanao region, told Reuters news agency.
Some of those who escaped faced serious charges, such as murder and kidnapping, officials said. "I have ordered police to shoot these very dangerous people if they resist arrest. They are better dead than a menace to our communities," he said.
Several of the escapees had been incarcerated for carrying out bombing campaigns for a separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, that is currently supposed to be observing a ceasefire with the government. Rebel links?
This is the second jail break on Mindanao in recent months.This is the second jail break on Mindanao in recent months.
In December, armed men raided the Cotabato City prison, freeing several Muslim militants.In December, armed men raided the Cotabato City prison, freeing several Muslim militants.
This time a group of armed men surrounded the prison, blew down the wall with grenade launchers and pinned down the guards while the prisoners escaped.
The escapees fled toward a forested area at the back of the jail, officials said.
Many of those who were freed face serious charges, such as murder and kidnapping.
Several had been found guilty of carrying out bombing campaigns for the Islamic separatist group the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Military spokesman Colonel Julieto Ando told reporters that he thought the MILF "most likely had a hand" in the jailbreak.
But rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu denied that his group had anything to do with the incident.
The MILF - which is campaigning for self-rule in the southern region around Mindanao - is currently supposed to be observing a ceasefire with the government.
Negotiations between the two sides have, however, been bogged down by MILF demands for economic control of certain areas.
Discussions are further complicated by reports of renegade MILF members helping other militant groups in the southern Philippines, such as the notoriously brutal Abu Sayyaf group on the island of Jolo.