ZAMBOANGA, Philippines — Philippine troops have recaptured 70 percent of the coastal areas by a southern city that were occupied by Muslim rebels, the military said, adding helicopter gunships were deployed for the first time Monday as a hostage standoff dragged to its second week.
Troops and special police forces have killed or arrested more than 100 Moro National Liberation Front rebels, who occupied five coastal villages, after government forces foiled what officials said was an attempt by the heavily armed insurgents to take control of Zamboanga city hall on Sept. 8.
But about 100 rebels remained holed up with more than 100 hostages. Government troops were continuing a push against the insurgents but were wary of causing any harm to the captives, military spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said, adding it was difficult to say when the fighting will end.
Troops have tried to contain the clashes in the coastal outskirts of Zamboanga, a largely Christian city of nearly 1 million people, but suspected rebel mortar fire destroyed a car near the city’s downtown area Monday, raising fears the gunmen were attempting to divert the military’s attention.