Militants ambush military convoy - 5 dead

On 22 August 2008 armed militants ambushed a Philippine military convoy near the town of Guindulungan on Mindanao Island. Authorities stated that forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebel group killed at least five Philippine soldiers in the attack. MILF commanders claim that fighting with government troops continues, as the Philippine military launched air and ground attacks against rebel positions. The renewed fighting comes hours after President Gloria Arroyo shot down a peace deal with the MILF rebel group. Arroyo claims the peace deal would be a dangerous step towards establishing an independent Muslim state from within the Philippines.