COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 8, 2008) – Two government soldiers were wounded in a clash with Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in the southern Philippines, a regional army spokesman said on Wednesday.

Maj. Armand Rico, of the Eastern Mindanao Command headquarters, said the fighting erupted in the village called Datu Dani in Kiamba town in Sarangani province on Tuesday.

“Two of our soldiers are wounded in the fighting in Kiamba. The enemies also suffered heavy casualties,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

The fighting broke out only three days after MILF rebels raided the village of Gasi in Kiamba town. Two people were wounded in the raid after rebels attacked a coconut plantation with anti-tank rockets and torched government structures in the village.

The rebels launched a series of deadly attacks since August after the aborted signing of the Muslim territorial deal between MILF and government peace negotiators.

Because of the attacks, President Gloria Arroyo has suspended the peace talks and totally scrapped the homeland deal and disbanded the government team negotiating with the rebels.

She demanded the MILF to surrender at least 3 notorious commanders, Ameril Kato, Abdurahman Macapaar and Sulayman Pangalian, who were blamed for the attacks in the provinces that left dozens of innocent civilians dead.

Manila also offered P10 million reward each for the capture of the three rebel leaders who are now the object of a massive military operation in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)