This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24121935

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Troops free civilians in Philippine rebel stand-off Troops free civilians in Philippine rebel stand-off
(about 4 hours later)
Dozens of civilians held by Muslim rebels in the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga have been freed as troops gained ground, the military said. Dozens of civilians held by Muslim rebels in a stand-off in the Philippine south have been freed, as rebels seized a senior policeman, reports say.
Soldiers have reportedly taken 70% of the areas held by rebels. The military said they had taken 70% of areas held by fighters from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Zamboanga city on Tuesday.
Fighters from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) moved into parts of the city on 9 September and have been holed up in coastal villages. But rebels captured the local police chief, Jose Chiquito Malayo, as he was trying to negotiate with them.
The MNLF have been holed up in villages in Zamboanga since 9 September.
Troops have been engaging in gun battles with the rebels, who have been using civilians as human shields.Troops have been engaging in gun battles with the rebels, who have been using civilians as human shields.
"For the past 18 hours, we have been able to rescue 116 people due to pressure from our troops on the ground," military spokesman Lt Col Ramon Zagala told Agence-France Presse news agency. A military spokesman said that they had been able to rescue 116 people on Tuesday "due to pressure from our troops on the ground".
It remained unclear, however, how many more civilians were being held as the stand-off continued.It remained unclear, however, how many more civilians were being held as the stand-off continued.
Television reports showed exhausted hostages boarding buses taking them away from the front line after being released or escaping.Television reports showed exhausted hostages boarding buses taking them away from the front line after being released or escaping.
Meanwhile, it has been reported by local media and government officials that suspected MNLF members have abducted a senior police official in Zamboanga, Jose Chiquito Malayo. Mr Malayo was captured along with his bodyguards and possibly taken to another island, local media report.
About 60 people are reported to have died in the fighting - most of them rebels, according to the authorities. The government is conducting efforts to rescue him, officials say.
Some 70,000 residents have been displaced by the fighting in the southern city. On Monday, Philippine forces carried out helicopter airstrikes on rebel-held areas. The death toll since the fighting began has risen to close to 100 - most of them rebels, according to the authorities.
Some 70,000 residents have been displaced by the fighting in the southern city in Mindanao. On Monday, Philippine forces carried out helicopter airstrikes on rebel-held areas.
The MNLF is one of a number of splinter groups fighting for independence from Manila.The MNLF is one of a number of splinter groups fighting for independence from Manila.
It is thought the MNLF are angry at being sidelined from peace talks between another Muslim rebel group and the government.It is thought the MNLF are angry at being sidelined from peace talks between another Muslim rebel group and the government.