Manila - The United Nations on Friday vowed to send more aid to more than 500,000 people displaced by fighting between Muslim separatist rebels and government troops in the southern Philippines.

Amid reports that some aid deliveries were being blocked, the UN office in Manila assured humanitarian assistance in conflict areas in the southern region of Mindanao were unhampered.

The UN said it has so far not encountered any difficulties or challenges in delivering food to distribution centres.

"The UN system in the Philippines reaffirms its support to ongoing peace efforts and commits to provide humanitarian relief assistance to conflict-affected communities in Mindanao," it said in a statement.

"Dispatches of food support for displaced families have been unhampered amidst recent hostilities and increased security precautions being taken by UN staff and its cooperating partners," it added.

Brigadier General Jorge Segovia said the military was trying to verify reports that MILF rebels hijacked a truckload of food aid in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao province, 960 kilometres south of Manila, two days ago.

He added that there was no truth to reports that the military had blocked a food caravan in Lanao del Norte province last week.

The hostilities in Mindanao erupted in early August after the Supreme Court stopped the signing of a land deal between the MILF and the Philippine government that would have expanded an existing autonomous Muslim region.

Out of frustration, two MILF commanders led a series of attacks on a number of provinces in Mindanao, leaving nearly 200 dead and forcing 501,709 residents to flee their homes.

The MILF is the largest Muslim rebel group fighting for the establishment of an independent Islamic state in Mindanao. It has been holding peace talks with the government since 1997.

Earlier in the week, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo dissolved the government's peace panel with the MILF amid controversy over the land deal with rebel group.

She, however, vowed to pursue peace talks with the MILF but with more consultations with various sectors. She also stressed that the government will seek the rebels' disarmament during negotiations. (dpa)