Two members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were killed and a militiaman was wounded during a clash between government forces and the rebels in Dinas town, Zamboanga del Sur province, southern Philippines, police said on Tuesday.

The government's paramilitary forces were patrolling around the Butitian village in the area when they spotted and engaged to a group of MILF rebels around 2:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon, Superintendent Ramon Ochotorena, Zamboanga del Sur police chief, told reporters on Tuesday.

The rebels were led by Kamil Lao, who is wanted for his involvement in the killing of Dinas Vice Mayor Abdulbasit Maulana in July 2005, according to the police officer.

Army soldiers later joined the militiamen in the firefight against the rebels, killing two MILF members, he added.

Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Sison, commander of the Army's 53rd Infantry Battalion, said the bodies of the killed rebels had been recovered along with a rifle, a grenade launcher and two land mines.

The MILF is the largest Islamic separatist organization active in the southern Philippines. Government officials said they are hopeful that the authority could sign a peace deal with the MILF before this year's Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which falls in September.

Source: Xinhua