Nine dead in Philippine clashes

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At least nine people have been killed in clashes between armed squatters and police sent to evict them in the Philippines, officials say.

Ten officers were wounded in the fighting that lasted for 10 hours in northern Kalinga province, they added.

The security forces had been sent to guard a demolition crew ordered to tear down homes in Rizal town by a court.

The residents had dug foxholes along the approach road and opened fire with automatic weapons, police said.

"Our boys were ambushed on their way to the community to be demolished for squatting," regional police chief Raul Gonzales said.

He said the security forces had been forced to defend themselves after the residents ignored orders to lay down their weapons.

Some officers were evacuate from the scene during the battle to receive medical treatment for bullet wounds, he added.