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Separatist battle of the Abubakrs and Abusayafs

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Former leader of the seccessionist Moro National Liberatin Front (MNLF) and now Governor of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao Nur Misuari talks to reporters after meeting American embassy officials here in Zamboanga city in southern Philippines Wednesday Aug. 2, 2000. Misuari, who has been the target of criticism for his alleged mishandling of Muslim-dominated region of Mindanao, assailed the Government's handling of the 100-day-old hostage crisis in southern Philippines and disagreed with Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid's statement linking the bombing of the Philippine Embassy Thursday in Jakarta to Muslim terrorists from the Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

August 3, 2000 

DAVAO, Philippines (AP) - At least two civilian militiamen were killed in a clash Wednesday with Muslim separatist rebels in a southern Philippine province, officials said.

Members of the local Civilian Volunteer Organization pursued about 30 Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas who raided the village of Kimlawis in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur province, before dawn Wednesday, they said.

The rebels seized food from a local store as well as horses and water buffaloes before escaping. The militiamen pursued the guerrillas and two of their members died in a battle with the better-armed rebels, the officials said.

The two men who died were brothers who were members of a cult that believed they were invincible to bullets, said Violy Espija, a community development officer of Kiblawan.

There were no rebel casualties reported.

The wife of the village chief also was reported missing and was believed to have been kidnapped by the rebels as they retreated.

Earlier this week, at least three rebels and three army soldiers were killed in separate clashes in other southern provinces. A highway was briefly closed Monday after MILF guerrillas attacked the base of the army's 57th infantry battalion in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao province, north of Davao del Sur.

Guerrilla hit-and-run attacks have become more frequent since government troops captured most of the MILF's camps in the southern Philippines, including the rebels' headquarters, Camp Abubakar, in an offensive that began in March.

Government troopers sort out high powered weapons entrusted by soldiers as part of reinforcement in Jolo island where Muslim Abu Sayyaf kidnappers continue to hold at least 29 more European, South African, Malaysian and Filipino hostages, in Zamboanga city Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000. The hostage crisis enters its 100th day Wednesday and so far the Abu Sayyaf has released a German hostage and six Malaysian s from the original 21 they abducted last April 23, 2000 from Sipadan island resort in Maaysia. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Peace talks were suspended by President Joseph Estrada in late June after the rebels refused to abandon their secessionist goal.

The rebels say they want to resume talks but only if they are held in a neutral country. Officials are insisting on holding the talks in the Philippines because the insurgency is a domestic problem.

The MILF is the larger of two rebel groups fighting for an independent Islamic state.

The smaller but more radical Abu Sayyaf group is holding 29 hostages, including 15 foreigners, on a southern island.