At least 11 killed in southern Philippines clashes

At least 11 killed in southern Philippines clashes

2011-04-04 20:28:53 GMT+7 (ICT)

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (BNO NEWS) -- At least 11 people have been killed in the southern region of the Philippines where violent clashes erupted Sunday morning between two groups, officials said Monday.

The government of the Philippines deployed hundreds of soldiers to the Maguindanao province to ease down the clashes between supporters of Governor Esmael Mangudadatu and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (<deleted>), GMA news agency reported.

On Sunday morning, around 150 Mangudadatu supporters were reportedly ambushed by roughly 100 <deleted> rebels under the leadership of Tautin Salendab and Nurudin Kalimbol at a road project at Tenok village. The clashes reportedly lasted one hour and resulted in the death of 10 Mangudadatu supporters and one Moro rebel.

In addition, four people were injured during the clashes, three of them Mangudadatu supporters.

Filipino armed forces deputy chief Major General Emmanuel Bautista said the troops would be working to ease tensions between the warring groups and prevent violence to escalate. The troops were also deployed with 10 to 12 tanks.

Clashes erupted following tension between the two groups over the road project, which will be connecting the Buluan-Lutayan road.

Since 1978, the <deleted> group has been fighting for an independent Islamic state in the southern Philippines despite peace talks with government officials since 1997.

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