Hundreds of troops were sent to the southern town of Siocon in the wake of an MILF raid that left 25 dead and several dozen wounded.  The rebels also kidnapped three people, after killing ten civilians and nine soldiers and policemen. Six rebels are known to be dead. The MILF has said that the attack was directed at an army infantry battalion that has its base outside the town. The MILF is making these attacks in an attempt to pressure the government to withdraw from MILF base areas and drop murder charges against MILF members arrested for terror attacks.