Philippines Civil War -- News Updates For August 28, 2008

Soldiers prepare to fire on muslim rebel positions in Maguindanao on August 23. Leila de Lima, the top human rights official in the Philippines, has raised alarm over the rising human cost of an army offensive against Muslim rebels in the south, saying civilian deaths had gone unreported (AFP/File)

Fighting Worsens In Philippines, Displacing 300,000
On Mindanao -- International Herald Tribune

MANILA: Fighting in the southern Philippines between government troops and Islamic separatists is getting worse by the day, with the number of displaced people now reaching 300,000, officials and disaster volunteers said Tuesday.

Army officials estimated that 150 rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the separatist group, were killed in the past five days and that government troops overran 15 rebel camps in one of the largest military offensives since peace negotiations began 11 years ago.

The military said the offensives, which have been taking place in several provinces in the southern region of Mindanao since last week, are specifically directed at three commands of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that were responsible for attacks this month in which 33 people were killed.

Relief officials said most of the displaced were from Muslim areas.

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More News On the Philippines

Philippine troops overrun Muslim rebel stronghold -- AFP
Malaysia Extends Philippine Peacekeeping Mission -- Voice Of America
Malaysia extends peace mission in Philippines -- International Herald Tribune
Philippines to ask UK to help peace deal -- Radio Australia
Philippines: Muslim Nations Condemn Philippine Rebel Attacks -- My Sinchew
Panic buying for guns, bullets in Mindanao -- ABS-CBN

My Comment: If I was living there, I will be arming myself to the teeth.