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| Philippine rebel attack in Zamboanga kills soldier | Philippine rebel attack in Zamboanga kills soldier |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Clashes between Philippine troops and around 100 suspected Muslim rebels have killed one soldier and wounded six, officials say. | Clashes between Philippine troops and around 100 suspected Muslim rebels have killed one soldier and wounded six, officials say. |
| Suspected members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) moved in on Zamboanga, a city in Mindanao, by boat early on Monday, officials said. | |
| Clashes spread from the coast to the city's busy Rio Hondo area. | Clashes spread from the coast to the city's busy Rio Hondo area. |
| The MNLF signed a peace agreement with the government in 1996. However, some of its fighters remain active. | The MNLF signed a peace agreement with the government in 1996. However, some of its fighters remain active. |
| Many residents have fled Rio Hondo to escape the fighting. | Many residents have fled Rio Hondo to escape the fighting. |
| City mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar told AFP news agency that "an estimated 20 people... have been held hostage". | City mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar told AFP news agency that "an estimated 20 people... have been held hostage". |
| "The main target by the MNLF in encroaching Zamboanga city is to raise their banner of independence at city hall," she added. | "The main target by the MNLF in encroaching Zamboanga city is to raise their banner of independence at city hall," she added. |
| Armed forces spokesman Lt Col Ramon Zagala said that around 800 troops had been deployed to secure the city. | Armed forces spokesman Lt Col Ramon Zagala said that around 800 troops had been deployed to secure the city. |
| "We are trying to contain them, so that this will not spread elsewhere," he told AFP. | "We are trying to contain them, so that this will not spread elsewhere," he told AFP. |
| Nur Misuari founded the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in 1971, with the goal of fighting the Philippine state for an independent Islamic nation. | Nur Misuari founded the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in 1971, with the goal of fighting the Philippine state for an independent Islamic nation. |
| It signed a peace deal with the government in 1996, but continues to be involved in clashes in the southern Philippines. | It signed a peace deal with the government in 1996, but continues to be involved in clashes in the southern Philippines. |
| Many factions have splintered from the MNLF, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, one of the country's largest Muslim rebel groups. | Many factions have splintered from the MNLF, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, one of the country's largest Muslim rebel groups. |