Philippines ? Muslim rebels attacked several southern coastal townships today, killing a local official and burning houses in a sharp escalation of fighting amid uncertainty over a fragile peace process, officials said.

Regional military spokesman Maj. Armand Rico said the towns of Kulambugan and Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte province came under attack early today from renegade forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

He said the rebels executed the leader of Libertad village in Kauswagan town. Government troops in armored vehicles fought the rebels in efforts to push them back into the hinterland, where they maintain camps. Local officials ordered the evacuation of residents from nearby communities to avoid casualties.