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Philippines says 37 rebels killed in offensive

Thursday - 1/30/2014, 12:10am  ET

Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Philippine troops have killed at least 40 Islamic fighters and captured a rebel stronghold with a bomb-making facility in a three-day offensive against insurgents opposed to a new peace deal, military officials said Thursday.








Rebel spokesman Abu Misry said a part of their stronghold had been taken by government forces but denied any of their fighters had been killed or captured. Only seven insurgents had been wounded so far in army shelling and helicopter rocket fire, he said.

"They can take our camps but if they don't capture us, they cannot stop our jihad," Misry said by telephone, referring to their term for holy war.




