Philippine troops on Sunday broke a ceasefire and shelled strongholds of the country's main Muslim separatist group it had accused of sheltering Abu Sayyaf kidnappers, rebel sources said.
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) regional leader Shariff Julabbi said rebel positions near Tuburan town in southern Basilan island were attacked early Sunday by soldiers without provocation, triggering a firefight.
"The military assaulted our position. Soldiers shelled our area with 105 mm howitzer cannons," Julabbi said. "Our forces retaliated with anti-tank rockets ... to defend the MILF area."
There were no immediate reports of casualties on either side.
The MILF is the country's main Muslim insurgent group waging a 23-year rebellion for an independent Islamic state in the south -- ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP)
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