TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Philippine rebels took at least 200 hostages in southern Philippine after rampaging through coastal communities, leaving at least six people dead, local news reports say.
Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said on Monday, the shoot-out started after the troops were backed up by tanks that blocked the rebels, which are associated with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), from entering Zamboanga city to raise their flag in the city hall.
At least 6 people were killed in the incident, including a naval soldier, and 220 civilians were taken hostage by the rebels.
Zagala said that the hostages were being held as a human shield, but army spokesman Brigadier General Domingo Tutaan said about 200 to 300 people were stranded in a village occupied by the rebels.
Clair Jose, a health officer in Zamobanga, told Al Jazeera the city looked like a ghost town because houses and shops are closed. "We are contained in our houses," Jose said.
Abdul Sahrin, secretary-general of the Moro National Liberation Front, blamed the faction of Nur Misuari for carrying out the attack. Misuari is a former MNLF leader, who previously entered into a peace agreement with the Philippine government.
AL JAZEERA | CHOIRUL