Philippine rebels in new attacks

Philippine rebels in new attacks

Philippine troops on patrol in North Cotabato on 12 August 2008

Fighting between rebels and troops broke out earlier this month

Separatist rebels have launched a series of attacks on towns in the southern Philippines, amid ongoing unrest over an autonomy deal.

Guerrillas raided several towns in Lanao del Norte province, burning shops and houses. Casualties were reported, but exact numbers are unclear.

Troops were sent to fight the rebels and, in a national address, President Gloria Arroyo vowed to defeat them.

The violence came after the Supreme Court blocked a territorial deal.

The government had agreed to expand an existing Muslim autonomous zone on Mindanao island, in a bid to end years of separatist fighting.

But the court suspended the deal earlier this month after Christian communities argued it would increase sectarian divisions.