 |
| Soldiers carry the flag-draped coffin of policemen who died at the Zamboanga rebel attack in Mindanao. |
At least 158 people have been killed since
fighting broke out earlier this month between separatist rebels and
soldiers in the Philippines, state news reported Wednesday.
The majority of those killed, 125, were militants from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the government-run Philippines News Agency (PNA) said. Also among the reported dead were 15 members of the military, five from police, and 13 civilians.
The lengthy crisis in
Zamboanga City began when large numbers of rebels from the Muslim
militant group came ashore more than two weeks ago.
They took roughly 180
people hostage in coastal areas of the city. After attempts to negotiate
the hostages' release failed, security forces moved in, resulting in
intense bursts of fighting.
The vast majority of the
captives have now been freed, but authorities believe the rebels are
still holding around five people, Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, a military
spokesman, said Wednesday.
Read more via CNN
No comments:
Post a Comment