Fresh fighting erupts in southern Philippines
Updated
![Half a million Filipinos displaced as a result of clashes between government troops and separatist rebels. [Reuters]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/phils_soldier_rtr_210708.jpg?<BR> "Half a million Filipinos displaced as a result of clashes between government troops and separatist rebels. [Reuters]")
Half a million Filipinos displaced as a result of clashes between government troops and separatist rebels. [Reuters]
At least six civilians have been killed when Philippine army planes strafed and bombed Muslim rebel positions in the south, a week after a peace deal collapsed.
The attack near the town of Datu Piang took place after members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front fired at helicopters searching for rebels on the southern island of Mindanao.
An army brigade commander, says he is unaware of civilian casualties but says that seven MILF rebels had been killed in the air strikes.
The incident comes as the Red Cross made an appeal for funds to help more than 500,000 people displaced by the recent upsurge in conflict.
It has also asked the government and MILF rebels to allow it access to displaced civilians, many of them sheltering in evacuation camps.
Clashes, the worst in five years, began early last month after the the Supreme Court blocked a draft peace agreement.
Manila has since suspended the peace talks with the MILF and has offered a $US535,000 reward for three senior rebel leaders accused of leading the raids.
