Philippines: Troops Rescue Christian Hostages

Philippine troops have rescued nearly 80 of more than 100 hostages being held in the largely Christian city of Zamboanga.

About 64 hostages were freed or escaped during the military operations that took place early on Tuesday, official reports said.

They were followed by another 14 who walked to freedom in separate batches.

It is not known how many hostages remain with the rebels - more than 180 were originally believed to be being held - in a stand-off between government troops and rebels that is entering its second week.

Troops and special police forces have killed or arrested more than 100 Moro National Liberation Front rebels occupying five coastal villages after government forces foiled what officials said was an attempt by the heavily armed insurgents to take control of city hall on September 8.

An armoured vehicle drives past soldiers ahead of the Tuesday offensive

Nearly 82,000 residents have fled the fighting, going into several emergency shelters, including the city's main sports complex.

Troops have tried to contain the clashes in the coastal outskirts of Zamboanga, a bustling port 860km (540 miles) south of Manila and home to nearly one million people.

But suspected rebel mortar fire destroyed a car near the city's centre area on Monday, raising fears the gunmen were attempting to divert the military's attention.

Government troops have recaptured 70% of the coastal areas of the city that were occupied by Muslim rebels.

The Moro insurgents, led by Nur Misuari, signed a peace deal in 1996, but the guerrillas did not lay down their arms and later accused the government of reneging on a promise to develop long-neglected Muslim regions in the south of the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.

The rebels have become increasingly restless in recent months as they have been overshadowed by a rival rebel group that engaged President Benigno Aquino III's government in peace talks brokered by Malaysia.

The talks have steadily progressed toward a new and potentially larger autonomy deal for minority Muslims in the south.

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