Philippine Rebels Take 20 More Hostages

By artappraiser on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 1:02am |

VOA News, Sept. 10, 2013

Philippine officials say Muslim rebels have taken 20 more civilians hostage during a second day of a standoff with the military in the southern part of the country.

Police say a faction of the the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) now holds at least 170 people hostage in Zamboanga, a city on the southern island of Mindanao.

About 300 gunmen stormed villages there Monday, killing at least four people and injuring at least 14 others. Local officials say about 1,500 people have fled their homes.

President Benigno Aquino has sent representatives to negotiate with the MNLF rebels, who are seeking independence for the predominantly Muslim southern region [.....]

URL:

http://www.voanews.com/content/philippine-rebels-take-20-more-hostages/1746518.html