Philippines vows strong action against rebels

Manila: The Philippine military chief vowed on Tuesday to hunt down Muslim rebels who attacked two towns in the south.

"You all know we have bent as far backward (as possible) to give peace a chance," military chief General Alexander Yano said on radio.

"The patience of our soldiers in trying to uphold the primacy of the peace process is very commendable but at some point we really have to act decisively," Yano said.

At least 34 people, most of them civilians, were killed in southern Philippines on Monday after hundreds of Muslim guerrillas attacked two towns and burned down homes.