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.