25 Gunmen suspected to be part of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) stormed a prison in Kidapawan city on the island of Mindanao by blasting a hold in the prison's wall and freeing 47 of its inmates.

Many of those who were freed face serious charges, such as murder and kidnapping.

Several had been found guilty of carrying out bombing campaigns for the Islamic separatist group the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Military spokesman Colonel Julieto Ando told reporters that he thought the MILF "most likely had a hand" in the jailbreak.

But rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu denied that his group had anything to do with the incident.

The MILF - which is campaigning for self-rule in the southern region around Mindanao - is currently supposed to be observing a ceasefire with the government.

Governor Emmanuel Pinot ordered police to shoot the inmates if they resists arrest.