Philippine rebels turn to bombs to divert assaults

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine military officials say suspected militants from a breakaway Muslim rebel group have set off bombs in two provinces in the southern Philippines in their latest assault but no one has been injured. The gunmen went on a rampage last week and sparked clashes that killed at least 28 people.

The officials say hundreds of army troops have forced armed fighters of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement out of two strongholds in southern Maguindanao province and were pursuing them Sunday mostly in hinterland areas.

They say at least seven homemade bombs have exploded in recent days along roads and in communities in Maguindanao and nearby North Cotabato province in an apparent attempt by the breakaway rebels to disrupt army assaults. The fighting has displaced 39,000 villagers.