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Seven Muslim guerrillas killed in Philippines: military

ZAMBOANGA: Seven Muslim separatist guerrillas died after a foiled attack on a military outpost in the southern Philippines, a military spokesman said Sunday. Rebels of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) attacked the military in Datu Piang town in Mindanao late Saturday in an attempt to destroy artillery at the base, said Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Ponce. "Seven rebels were killed in the fighting, but there could be more as the MILF forces retreated with their wounded," said Ponce.Last week, the MILF bombed a bridge and burned houses in Mindanao as part of what they said were counterattacks against the military. Manila opened peace talks with the 12,000-strong MILF in 2001, but the negotiations collapsed in August last year after the Supreme Court struck down a deal that would have given the MILF control over large areas of Mindanao.

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