PAGADIAN, Philippines – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels killed one man in a raid on a police station Friday (December 6th) to free two arrested comrades despite a ceasefire and peace talks with the government, AFP reported.

The attack in Marawi came as government negotiators held talks with the MILF in Malaysia.

About 50 members of MILF freed two of their arrested comrades in the pre-dawn assault. Police chief Superintendent Christopher Panapan was seized by the rebels and used as a human shield while his civilian brother-in-law was shot dead, Glen Macasero, local army chief, said.

Panapan was later turned over to local officials, national police spokesman Senior Superintendent Reuben Sindac said.

Army spokesman Captain Jefferson Somera said the attack was a clear violation of the ceasefire and the issue would be raised with the joint ceasefire monitoring committee.

MILF spokesman Von al-Haq confirmed the incident but said the arrest of the two MILF members for illegal possession of firearms in October was also a violation of the ceasefire.

He added the raid on the police should not affect the peace talks.

"This is a very isolated case. What is important here is the sincerity of both sides," he said.