Twelve security personnel and 20 civilians were killed today in a gunfight during a mass rally held by supporters of detained Muslim leader Mr Nur Misuari in the southern Philippines, officials said.
Scores of civilians were also wounded in the crossfire between policemen comprising ex-rebels from Mr Misuari's Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Marine soldiers on the island of Jolo, the officials said.
Mr Misuari is currently detained near Manila pending his trial for rebellion – which left more than 100 people dead. Mr Misuari's forces from the MNLF in November attacked military detachments in his Jolo stronghold after he declared an uprising.
Military southern command official Colonel Roland Detabali, speaking in Zamboanga city, said nine Marines, an army soldier, two policemen and three civilians were killed during today’s clashes.
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao cabinet secretary Mr Abdurahman Jamasali said 17 more civilians were confirmed dead and scores of others wounded in the crossfire during the rally attended by about 2,000 supporters of Misuari.
The military could not confirm the additional civilian casualties.
The demonstrators were reportedly calling for Mr Misuari to be brought back to Jolo from a police prison near Manila where he is awaiting trial for rebellion.
The military had charged earlier today that Mr Misuari's followers were regrouping and plotting to hit back in the southern Philippines with the help of Abu Sayyaf guerrillas.
AFP