10 rebels die in the Philippines

10 rebels die in the Philippines

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Ten Muslim separatists were
killed in fresh fighting in the southern Philippines on Monday
ahead of a landmark meeting between Philippine President Joseph
Estrada and new Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid, the
military said.

The military's southern command said Moro Islamic Liberation
Front guerrillas attacked two army bases near the town of
Kalanugas in the Lanao region, triggering heavy fighting.

Bloody skirmishes have been raging in Kalanugas since
Thursday, forcing thousands of villagers to flee their homes,
officials said. Five rebels were killed on Thursday and three
others on Saturday, bringing the total confirmed death toll on
the rebel side to 18.

The military said it believed at least 22 others had been
killed, but their bodies were carried away by their comrades and
handed over to their families.