WORLD> Asia-Pacific
At least 144 killed in S. Philippine violence
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-23 11:53

At least 144 people have been killed in recent violence after some radical separatists attacked civilians in the Philippines' southern region of Mindanao, disaster-relief and military officials said on Saturday.

The death toll from attacks by members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao has risen to 44 as of Saturday morning, said the Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council.

In its latest report, the agency said 53 persons were wounded in the attacks and one remained missing.

According to the disaster-relief agency, the attacks also displaced 40,612 families or 201,975 persons in 134 Mindanao villages.

Meanwhile, the military reported that at least 100 MILF members were killed, based on intercepted radio conversation between separatist rebels, as the biggest air strike and ground offensive continued for three straight days in pursuit of two MILF commanders among others.

Lieutenant Colonel Julieto Ando, a military spokesman, told local news network Inquirer.net that 24 government troops were injured since skirmishes broke out Wednesday.