COTABATO CITY?The Red Cross began moving aid into North Cotabato on Friday in a major relief effort three days after government forces expelled Muslim insurgents who had stormed the province.

As some residents trickled back to their deserted villages, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said it had opened 12 more emergency centers in the southern Philippine province taking the total to 52 and the number of displaced to nearly 165,000.

Red Cross spokesman Clifford Gesmundo told Agence France-Presse that two trucks carrying 1,600 relief packages left Cotabato City early Friday for the towns of Pikit and Tulunan.

"At the same time we will have volunteers touring towns and villages in the affected area of North Cotabato to assess what is needed," he said.

On Thursday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it would coordinate relief operations with the Philippine Red Cross to send food packages to up to 80,000 displaced people.

Fighting broke out last week soon after the Supreme Court suspended plans for the establishment of an extended Muslim homeland in the southern Philippines.

Angered by the decision, around 1,500 heavily armed renegade Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels took control of mainly Christian villages and towns in North Cotabato province.

The rebels were expelled earlier this week in a large military and police operation, but before leaving, they looted many homes and farms, burned houses and left landmines which had to be cleared by bomb disposal teams.

"Some people are drifting back to their homes," Gesundo said, but most were staying in the evacuation centers.

"According to the NDCC there were 40 on Wednesday and they have since opened 12 more. Latest estimates put the number of displaced at 164,800.

"Our figures also show nine people were killed: two soldiers, two MILF and the rest civilians."

Military spokesman Brigadier General Jorge Segovia said "we still expect minor skirmishes," as some MILF fighters may try to harass the troops.

But he assured the public that the military and police forces in the area would remain there to prevent another incursion by the rebels.

Silvya Bolliger, a field officer for the ICRC, said it was still providing food, water and sanitation services to thousands of people.

"It will be the people's decision if they want to go back to their homes. We will not push them," she said.

She said the situation in the evacuation centers was not yet serious and there was no sign of any epidemics breaking out.

The United Nations World Food Program began shipping food and medical supplies into the region earlier this week.

The Supreme Court has begun hearing arguments for and against the establishment of a Muslim homeland Friday.

The government's chief peace negotiator, Hermogenes Esperon, said Thursday that Manila had not given up on the peace process.

"War is not an option here," Esperon told a media briefing. "The government will not abandon the peace process."

He said contact with MILF leaders had continued even as the rebels occupied villages and towns.

However, Esperon would not elaborate on the substance of the talks.