Tuesday, August 19, 2008 (Philippines)

Government troops on foot and in tanks secure the area earlier occupied by rebels who fled leaving bodies of civilians and torched houses. (Afp photo) MANILA - Quit or be crushed, President Arroyo warned Muslim leaders yesterday, after they raided several towns in Mindanao, burning houses and killing at least 24 civilians and eight soldiers. Government blamed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for an ambush on soldiers in Lanao del Norte, which killed eight. Separatists also set off two bombs in hotels in Iligan City, hurting three civilians, and attacked a band of Marines in Basilan. Brigadier Gen. Antonio Supnet, head of an army brigade that drove away the rebels, said that 20 civilians were slaughtered in Kauswagan and four others in neighboring Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte. [full story]