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.