Philippine troops kill 19 Muslim rebels

By SPA,

Manila, Philippines : Philippine soldiers backed by air support killed 19 Muslim separatist rebels in separate clashes in the country’s troubled south, the military said.

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Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, spokesman for the military’s 6th Infantry Division, was quoted as saying by Associated Press that soldiers backed by rocket-firing planes encountered about 100 Moro Islamic Liberation Front insurgents Friday in three separate areas in a marshy region in Maguindanao province.

He said three soldiers were slightly wounded and rejoined the military operation.

Rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu denied Ando’s report, dismissing it as military propaganda.