31 reported killed in south; refugee crisis feared

Philippine attack aircraft and artillery bombed Muslim rebel positions for a second day on Monday, raising fears of a humanitarian disaster in the south with nearly 130,000 refugees forced to flee. Seven rebels, three soldiers and three civilians were killed in the battle for 15 villages in North Cotabato province, the military said. On Basilan, three people, including one soldier and two civilians, were killed after around 300 MILF guerrillas attacked the centre of the town and disrupted polling. Fifteen MILF rebels were allegedly killed in a five-hour... [read full story]