Manila  - Four soldiers were wounded Monday in clashes between government troops and Muslim separatist rebels in the southern Philippines, a regional military spokesman said.

Major Armand Rico said the initial firefight between members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and government troops broke out early Monday in Datu Piang town in Maguindanao province, 960 kilometres south of Manila.

Rico said fighting also broke out in the nearby town of Guindulungan. There were no reported casualties on the MILF side.

The military has intensified operations against three MILF commanders who attacked towns and seized villages last month.

The attacks occurred after the Supreme Court stopped the signing of a territory deal that would have expanded the existing autonomous Muslim region in the strife-torn region of Mindanao.

More than 200 people have been killed in the subsequent clashes between the MILF rebels and the government and more than 500,000 have been displaced.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo dissolved the government peace panel negotiating with the MILF. She vowed not to resume the negotiations until those responsible for the attacks have been brought to justice. (dpa)