Philippines - The Philippine military on Friday launched air and ground assaults against Muslim separatist rebels who attacked two southern villages, killing six civilians.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in the offensives in the villages in Senator Ninoy Aquino town in Sultan Kudarat province, 960 kilometres south of Manila.

Colonel Julieto Ando, an army spokesman, said the guerrillas attacked the two villages on December 23 to gather food supplies.

"The attacks were foraging missions," he said. "They ran out of food supplies so they attacked the villages and took food supplies."

Ando said the air and ground assaults were launched as the number of MILF rebels in the villages increased to around 100.

"We had to use air assets to neutralize them," he said.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu denied the rebels occupied the two villages in Senator Ninoy Aquino town.

"The civilians fled when they saw the government forces coming in," he said. "They anticipated a firefight so they moved to nearby villages."

On December 24, MILF rebels also attacked an outpost of militiamen in Kalamansig town, also in Sultan Kudarat province. Two civilians caught in the crossfire were killed. (dpa)