The government agency said the number of refugees has continually increased since the attacks by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels began August 10, which prompted the military to launch an offensive against the guerrillas last week.

It said 287,217 people have been forced to flee their homes in 12 provinces.

More than 106,000 of the displaced residents were from North Cotabato province, where the rebels occupied dozens of villages for days before the military drove them out on August 14.

Three days later, the guerrillas went on a rampage in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte and Sarangani, burning homes, ransacking businesses and government buildings, and ambushing government troops and private vehicles.

These attacks forced another 61,741 people to flee their homes in the three provinces, the Office of Civil Defence said.

The other evacuees came from nearby provinces where sporadic clashes erupted between MILF rebels and pursuing government forces, including Maguindanao, where
56,194 people fled their homes in fear of being caught in the crossfire.

The office said 53 people, mostly civilians, have been confirmed killed in MILF attacks. The military said at least 100 guerrillas have been killed in airstrikes and ground assaults by government forces.

The MILF is the largest Muslim rebel group fighting for an independent Islamic state in the southern region of Mindanao.

The hostilities erupted after the Supreme Court on August 4 blocked the signing of a territorial deal made during peace talks between the MILF and the government. The pact would have expanded an existing autonomous Muslim region in Mindanao. (dpa)