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.