19 rebels killed in S. Philippine clashes

PHILIPPINE: At least 19 rebels were killed Friday in the southern Philippine region of Mindanao when sporadic firefights broke out between government forces and separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels, the military said on Saturday.

Three soldiers were wounded in the clashes that started on Friday afternoon in the province of Maguindanao, said an army spokesman Julieto Ando, quoted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an on-line report.

"Reports from our ground troops said at least 19 MILF guerillas were killed," he said.

The firefights started at 2 p.m. local time (0600 GMT) when two teams of rebels, under MILF sub-commander Ameril Ombra Kato, attacked a military detachment. Ameril Ombra Kato is one of the most wanted rebel leaders by the government.

Government forces have been pursuing Ameril Ombra Kato and two other MILF sub-commanders, Aleem Sulaiman Pangalian and Abdullah Macapaar, for more than two months since early August. The rebels and their followers attacked towns and villages in Mindanao after the government failed to sign a territorial pact with the MILF.

More than 100 people have been confirmed killed in the continuous clashes since Aug. 10.

Manila, Monday, Xinhua