Manila, Aug 17, SPA -- Government troops clashed withMuslim separatist rebels in the southern Philippines onTuesday, leaving two insurgents and one soldier dead, themilitary and the rebels said. A group of soldiers, police and government militia wereinvestigating the killings of two civilians in southernMaguindanao province's Datu Ampatuan town when theywere fired upon by rebels of the Moro Islamic LiberationFront, military spokesman Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero said. The government and the MILF have signed a cease-fire, butnegotiators were still working on a political settlement toend three decades of Muslim insurgency in the southernPhilippines. Lucero said the military had reported the incident to thegovernment-MILF cease-fire coordinating committee, adding:"We're hoping that this incident won't derail the peaceprocess." Rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu said the shootout was connectedto a family feud within the predominantly Muslim community,which may have involved some MILF members and governmentmilitia. "This has no bearing at all (on the peace talks) unlessthe military blows it out of proportion," Kabalu said in atelephone interview.--SPA1422 Local Time 1122 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/192686