Muslim rebels kill seven farmers in southern Philippines

Photo taken on August 28, 2011 shows Ameril Umbrakato (3rd R-front), leader of the breakaway Muslim separatist group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) (Source : AFP)

Hanoi (VNA) - Muslim rebels on December 24 launched a series of attacks in the southern Philippines, killing seven Christian farmers, according to the country’s military.

About 150 fighters of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) attacked many mainly-Christian towns in early December 24 in Mindanao island where Christian-Muslim conflicts have taken place for decades, said Colonel Ricky Bunayog, a local military commander.

The rebels arrested seven farmers and then killed them, Bunayog said.

The BIFF took responsibility for the attacks, saying it was over a land dispute.

In 2008, the BIFF split from the main Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

It has opposed a peace process between the Philippine government and the MILF for the creation of a Muslim autonomous area in the south and has vowed to keep fighting for a separate Islamic state.-VNA