DAVAO - SEVEN suspected members of an extortion gang have been shot dead by police in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, an official said on Wednesday.

The seven men, all former Muslim separatist rebels, were killed in a gun battle with police in Pantukan town in Compostela Valley on Tuesday, said Senior Superintendent Francisco Villaroman.

BANGKOK - THAI Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Wednesday strongly defended his foreign minister over reported comments that the occupation of Bangkok's airports by protesters was 'a lot of fun'.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya meanwhile apologised, but said remarks quoted by Britain's Daily Telegraph about the week-long siege by demonstrators trying to bring down the previous government had been taken out of context.

JAKARTA - RIGHTS group Amnesty International urged Indonesia on Wednesday to probe a crackdown on protesting villagers that killed two children and destroyed hundreds of houses on Sumatra island.

The two children died and nearly 400 people were left homeless last week after police and other officials fired bullets and tear gas to evict residents of Suluk Bongkal village in Riau province, Amnesty said in a statement.