MANILA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Mindanao island has seen some of the most savage fighting in years and civil defense officials are reporting that approximately 10,800 villagers have fled their homes across the island. Muslim rebels who have routinely carried out kidnappings, and other violent crimes including terrorist attacks, have been fighting against the Philippine government for years.

The latest fighting comes as the government attempts to crack down on their operations. In addition to troops, aircraft are being used to bomb suspected terrorist targets. The various Islamic organizations which support these terrorists are confirming that they are all under assault from security forces.

The Philippine president, Benigno Aquino III, said that not all Muslims in the region were being targeted but rather, the strikes are tailored to attack "lawless elements". 

Until now, the Philippine government had been in talks with some of the largest Islamic organizations in the area in an effort to put an end to the long-running conflict between the Islamic population and the government.

The President has insisted that the peaceful elements were not being targeted. However, a government spokesperson said that Islamic militants were seeking sanctuary from the peaceful Muslims in the region and that this is complicating the efforts to bring terrorists to justice.

With the exception of the terrorists, both government and Muslim leaders have emphasized they are committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, however militant Muslims in the southern part of the country remain bent on independence so it is unlikely that conflict in the region will come to an end anytime soon.

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