Manila  - Two civilians and a government militiaman were killed when suspected Muslim separatist rebels attacked a village in the southern Philippines, an army commander said Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Bagnus Gaerlan said the guerrillas swooped down on the village in Tungawan town in Zamboanga Sibugay province, 810 kilometres south of Manila, early Wednesday.

He said two civilians and a militiaman were killed in the attack allegedly perpetrated by members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Extortion was believed to be a motive of the attack, he added.

Two hours later, the same group of suspected MILF rebels ambushed soldiers in Sirawai town in nearby Zamboanga del Norte province, Gaerlan said.

The soldiers were retrieving firearms of government troops slain in the area in February when the guerrillas fired at them from all directions, he said.

Gaerlan said the attacks were in violation of a ceasefire declared by the government and the MILF in August ahead of the start of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu denied the attacks. "The military conducted shelling in the area," he said. "The MILF is not violating the ceasefire declaration."

The hostilities occurred one day after Philippine government and MILF negotiating panels agreed to form an international contact group that would monitor peace talks and agreements between the two sides.

The panels, who met in Kuala Lumpur, were also discussing the proposed creation of an international group that would protect civilian in times of fighting. (dpa)