MANILA - THE Philippine Supreme Court has rejected as unconstitutional a proposed accord to grant minority Muslims expanded autonomy.

Court spokeswoman Gleo Guerra said on Tuesday the majority of 15 judges voted to declare the agreement unconstitutional.

The court had already blocked the signing of the deal Aug 4 after Christian politicians in the southern Philippines claimed it violated the constitution and could lead to the partition of the country.

The move angered Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas.

They went on a rampage in August and killed at least 37 people.

The violence prompted President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to suspend autonomy talks.

The southern Philippines has been wracked by a decades-long Muslim rebellion. -- AP