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130K Flee Rebels in Philippines

Battles with Islamic separatists threaten humanitarian disaster

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 12, 2008 7:32 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Fighting in the southern Philippines between government forces and Islamic separatists has now displaced 130,000 people, the New York Times reports, and welfare officials are warning of a humanitarian disaster as battles once confined to two provinces have spread throughout the island of Mindanao. Thousands, most of them Muslims, have been fleeing the area.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has been fighting to establish an Islamic state in the Phillipines for decades. While the rebels and the government were set to sign a peace agreement, the country's supreme court upheld a petition to block it. The government has come under severe criticism for its handling of the issue, with one congresswoman saying, "The peace process is turning into a humanitarian mess."

Philippine troops fire howitzers at Muslim rebel lairs in Midsayap town, North Cotabato province, southern Philippines on Sunday Aug. 10, 2008.
Philippine troops fire howitzers at Muslim rebel lairs in Midsayap town, North Cotabato province, southern Philippines on Sunday Aug. 10, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jeff Maitem)
A Philippine trooper patrols the streets in Takipan village, Pikit town, North Cotabato, southern Philippines on Monday, August 11, 2008.
A Philippine trooper patrols the streets in Takipan village, Pikit town, North Cotabato, southern Philippines on Monday, August 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jeff Maitem)
Filipino residents flee Takipan village in Pikit town, North Cotabato, southern Philippines as fighting continue on Monday, August 11, 2008.
Filipino residents flee Takipan village in Pikit town, North Cotabato, southern Philippines as fighting continue on Monday, August 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jeff Maitem)
Filipino residents evacuate their homes as clashes between government troops and Muslim guerrillas continue at Pikit town, North Cotabato province, southern Philippines on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008.
Filipino residents evacuate their homes as clashes between government troops and Muslim guerrillas continue at Pikit town, North Cotabato province, southern Philippines on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008.   (AP Photo)
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Philippines • separatists • Islamic State • rebels • Moro Islamic Liberation Front

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