L
LequteMan
Guest
About 200 fighters from a Muslim rebel faction have seized several coastal communities in southern Zamboanga city in the Philippines.
About a dozen people have died so far as troops sealed off the area and exchanged fire with the rebels.
Some 15,000 people are displaced in Zamboanga.
Philippine officials say they are negotiating with the Muslim rebels holding more than 100 civilians hostage on ending the five-day standoff.
At the same time, President Benigno Aquino III has again warned the guerrillas that his government won't hesitate to use force.
Military spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala says lines of communication with the rebels are open but that they're still refusing to surrender.
The rebels accuse the government of ignoring a peace agreement.
About a dozen people have died so far as troops sealed off the area and exchanged fire with the rebels.
Some 15,000 people are displaced in Zamboanga.
Philippine officials say they are negotiating with the Muslim rebels holding more than 100 civilians hostage on ending the five-day standoff.
At the same time, President Benigno Aquino III has again warned the guerrillas that his government won't hesitate to use force.
Military spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala says lines of communication with the rebels are open but that they're still refusing to surrender.
The rebels accuse the government of ignoring a peace agreement.
