TEMPO.CO, Manila – An anonymous official stated on Tuesday, September 10, that the Moslem rebels that took 200 people hostage in Philippine, have issued a demand for a foreign mediator. The rebels, which called themself the Moro National Liberation Front (MNFL), used civilian hostages as human shields after they failed to reach a peace agreement with the government.
According to several sources, at least nine people have died during a shootout between Filipino security forces and MNLF fighters in Zamboanga City, Mindanao on Monday, September 9.
A local official claimed that the firefight between the military forces and the rebels have forced 13,000 people to take temporary shelter in sport centers and churches in Zamboanga City.
AL JAZEERA | BBC | CHORIUL