Death toll rises to 37

Death toll rises to 37

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (Reuter): Soldiers clearing the site of
a battle between troops and Moro rebels in the southern
Philippines have found 14 more bodies, taking the death toll in
the fighting to 37, the military said yesterday.

It said 33 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
and four soldiers were killed in Tuesday's fighting near Buldon
in Maguindanao province before both sides agreed on a ceasefire
to pave the way for peace talks to resume next month.

On Wednesday, the military said 21 Moro rebels and two
soldiers were killed in the three-hour gunbattle.

Some 1,000 troops backed by helicopter gunships used mortars
and rockets against an estimated 400 MILF guerrillas. The clash
forced about 2,000 civilians to flee their homes in Buldon town.

The MILF is a breakaway faction of the mainstream Moro
National Liberation Front, which reached a peace deal with the
government in October last year.