Manila: Fighters of the largest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines have clashed with a breakaway faction in fierce fighting that killed four combatants and wounded five others.

Rebel spokesman Von Al Haq of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front says its men were ambushed yesterday by followers of radical commander Ameril Umbra Kato, who broke away from the main group over its peace talks with the Philippine government. Al Haq today said that two combatants from each side were killed in the five-hour gunbattle in Datu Piang township in southern Maguindanao province and that five others were wounded. Philippine officials have expressed concern over the rebel infighting. They say it could affect ongoing peace talks brokered by Malaysia if it spirals out of control.

PTI