Muslim rebels storm Philippine jail; 46 escape

MANILA, Feb 2 (Reuters) Suspected Muslim rebels today stormed a jail in the southern Philippines early with grenades and rockets, blasted a hole in its wall and helped 46 prisoners escape, authorities said.

Some of those who escaped were men arrested for bomb blasts in the volatile Mindanao region of the south, where at least four Islamic separatist groups operate.

At least 25 heavily-armed men attacked the jail in Kidapawan City, 960 km south of Manila, and freed the prisoners in a 15-minute operation, said Federico Dulay, police chief of the North Cotabato province. Forty six of the 789 prisoners housed there escaped, he said. Two people were wounded, including a jail guard.

''We were caught with our pants down,'' said provincial governor Emmanuel Pinot.

''I have ordered police to shoot these very dangerous people if they will resist arrest. They are better dead than a menace to our communities.'' Reuters SBA VP0700