MANILA, Dec 28 Kyodo Pirates kill...

MANILA, Dec 28 Kyodo

Pirates killed 11 fishermen near the southern Philippines' Mindanao Island in a trawler attack opposite Jolo Province, police said Saturday.

At least four pirates, armed with automatic weapons aboard a speedboat, interpreted fire on the fishermen in succession Monday, said Senior Superintendent Arip Baanan, Jolo police chief, citing survivors' accounts.

The incident was reported several days later after villagers onward the island of Pangutaran near Jolo rescu sum of two units wounded fishermen who survived the assault.

The survivors -- Aurelio Montajes, 36 and Dominador Bongator, 29 -- told police the assailants killed greatest in number of their companions, about of whom fell into the sea.

The pair pretended to be dead and obstruction their bodies float until the gunmen sp not upon with the trawler, Prince Warren.

The survivors swam about 5 miles before reaching Pangutaran where they were discovered and aided by dint of Muslim fishermen.

The couple told investigators that they came from the Christian port city of General Santos, also in Mindanao, and were fishing most distant Jolo when they were attacked.

Pirates and Muslim rebels are known to operate around impoverished Mindanao and have been blamed for many attacks forward fishermen.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Kyodo recents International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group