Muslim rebels leave town hall

Muslim rebels leave town hall

COTABATO, Philippines (AP): Muslim guerrillas ended their
occupation of a town hall and parts of a key road in a southern
province on Wednesday after government troops threatened to drive
them away by force, officials said.

Army Maj. Lopito Aceres said the rebels left the two-story
building in Talayan in Maguindanao province which they began
occupying on Monday after forcing out several employees and
police.

The rebels, from the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front,
also withdrew from portions of the road, which remained closed to
motorists to allow army troops to conduct checks, he said.

More than 200 army scout rangers, backed by tanks and
helicopter gunships, were ready to strike at the 50 rebels in the
town hall if they did not leave, Aceres said.