9 Killed in Rebel Attacks in Philippines

Rebels in the southern Philippines staged a series of attacks this week that left at least nine civilians dead, in what appeared to be an effort to pressure the government to restart negotiations that have been stalled for months, analysts said Friday.

On Tuesday, members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front — the main group that has been fighting for Muslim self-rule in the predominantly Roman Catholic region of Mindanao since the 1970s — attacked villages in Sultan Kudarat township, killing nine civilians and wounding more, the military said. The next day, Christmas Eve, it was reported that the rebels staged another attack, in the town of Alamada. (NY Times)