COTABATO CITY--(UPDATE) The military says it has launched air strikes against rogue Moro rebels who harassed a military base in the coastal barangay (villages) of Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat.

Col. Julieto Ando, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said on Tuesday two MG-520 attack helicopters took turns in firing rockets at about 100 Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels who occupied the villages of Paril and Sangay.

"They attacked the adjoining villages in December 24 but the military liberated the areas on December 26," Ando recalled. After driving away the rebels, the Army stationed the 63rd reconnaissance company in Sangay village. But on Monday afternoon, about 100 rebels under Commander Jikiri of the 104th base command, attacked the military base and threatened to re-occupy the village.

"Their strength and firepower forced the military to launched air assaults," Ando said, adding that the air strikes commenced at about 6 a.m. Tuesday.

The air assault ended at about 12 noon with the ground troops still engaging the rebels in the mountains of Paril and Sangay. "We have no casualty figure yet," Ando said. "The real casualties were the civilians who lost their motorcycles, work animals and food stuff."

The rebels were still on a "foraging missions," Ando said as of midday, adding that the rebels had run out of food supplies in the mountains.

Antonio Manaog, a resident of Poblacion, Kalamansig, said rockets exploding in Paril and Sangay could reach up to the town center, some 15 kilometers away.

The two villages have been deserted since New Year because of sightings of armed men.

Ando said the Kalamansig skirmishes were similar to what happened in the villages of North Cotabato shortly after the Supreme Court stopped the signing by the government and the MILF of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain.

At least 500 families are now seeking refuge at the municipal gymnasium and public schools. A Navy ship has been helping prevent the guerillas from moving to nearby coastal villages.