Philippines army hits rebel stronghold

Manila wants to rid the area of Muslim rebels

Several thousand Philippines troops have attacked a stronghold of Muslim separatist guerrillas in the south of the country, military officials have said.

The clashes, between troops and guerrillas of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), began at dawn on Tuesday around Pikit town on southern Mindanao island.

At least seven rebels and one Philippine soldier have reportedly been killed in the fighting, which has involved heavy artillery.

The Philippines defence minister said on Monday that his forces were planning to attack the rebels' stronghold, in spite of a ceasefire agreement between the two sides to allow peace talks between the rebels and the government.

He said that the troops were deployed in the region to flush out a kidnap gang known as the Pentagon gang - regarded by the US as a terrorist group - that is allegedly being sheltered by the MILF.

'Provoking confrontation'

A rebel spokesman told Reuters news agency that the army had begun advancing with helicopter gun ships firing rockets and cannons.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu denied the insurgents were sheltering Pentagon members or any other criminals.

He accused the government of using the military to pressure the MILF into accepting a political package being prepared for upcoming talks in Malaysia.

Up to 20,000 people are reported to have fled the area to escape fighting.

MILF guerrillas have been campaigning for independence for the Muslim minority in the south of this mainly Christian country since the 1970s.

Despite a ceasefire declared in 2001 and efforts to develop peace talks, there have been sporadic outbreaks of violence.