WATCH: Heavy fighting erupts anew in Zambo (Day 5)
- 9 years ago
Government soldiers exchanged gunfire with members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who are holding out in residential areas in several villages in Zamboanga City.
Fighting was heaviest in Santa Catalina and Santa Barbara as advancing government troops were met with mortars and sniper fire from the Muslim rebels who have dug up in houses. The rebels are believed to be holding 200 civilian hostages in several locations.
Smoke billowing from several parts of the city can also be seen from a distance.
President Aquino visited the beleaguered southern city on Friday and vowed to come down hard on the renegade gunmen if they harm their civilian hostages or resort to flagrant destruction.
Fighting was heaviest in Santa Catalina and Santa Barbara as advancing government troops were met with mortars and sniper fire from the Muslim rebels who have dug up in houses. The rebels are believed to be holding 200 civilian hostages in several locations.
Smoke billowing from several parts of the city can also be seen from a distance.
President Aquino visited the beleaguered southern city on Friday and vowed to come down hard on the renegade gunmen if they harm their civilian hostages or resort to flagrant destruction.