Philippines launch air strikes against Muslim rebels

MANILA: The Philippines launched air strikes on Monday against Muslim separatist rebels blamed for a series of attacks that have killed 35 in the restless south since last week, the military said.

Two OV-10 attack airplanes dropped bombs on a remote village near Payao town in Mindanao island, where Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels had been holding out since last week, army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc said.