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Manila: Philippine troops reclaimed several towns that Muslim rebels attacked on Monday, while President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo warned rebels to withdraw or face military action.
Officials said that rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) burned houses in the southern Philippines and shot or hacked to death at least 26 people.
Brigadier General Antonio Supnet said 23 civilians were killed in Kauswagan and in neighboring Kolambugan, including villagers who were taken hostage.
Supnet added that more than 20 houses were burned in Kauswagan alone and hundreds of displaced villagers were streaming into evacuation centers in nearby Iligan city.
At least 7,000 villagers have fled in the latest fighting, police said.
Earlier, Arroyo rebels to withdraw from towns they have raided, warning that the military will flush them out if they refuse.
Arroyo said she has ordered the army and police to defend Philippine territory against the MILF rebels.
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