Followers of Philippine Muslim leader Nur Misuari have taken 50 mostly Christians hostage and are using them as "human shield" in attacks against the military Tuesday, officials said.
The rebels "have taken human shields to prevent the military operation" to drive them out from a southern Philippine government complex, from where they staged mortar attacks," military southern command spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Danilo Servando told AFP.
Zamboanga city Vice Mayor Erbie Fabian said "50 residents are being held hostage" by the group of Misuari, who is being detained in Malaysia when he fled there after leading a bloody revolt that left more than 100 people dead last week.
The hostages were taken from villages near the Cabatangan complex before the mortar attacks early Tuesday. Radio reports said hundreds of other villagers were trapped inside their homes as gunbattles erupted.
Military spokesman Brigadier General Edilberto Adan said a civilian was killed and nine others were wounded. They army said three soldiers were injured.
There were no immediate reports of rebel casualties, but Servando said: "I am sure they have many casualties."
(China Daily November 27, 2001)
