MANILA, Philippines - Two more Moro National Liberation Front fighters belonging to the Misuari faction were killed during a running gunbattle with government troops in Zamboanga City Thursday before noon, a military official said.
Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, Armed Forces public affairs office officer in charge, said the bodies of the two MNLF rebels were found behind a mosque in Sta. Barbara village around 11: 30 a.m. today.
"Running gunbattle kasi ito kaya dun sila nagtatago nung nagsimula na yung assault," Cabuno said.
Earlier, Cabunoc said three soldiers were also wounded during the firefight around 7 a.m. in the village.
"Around 5 a.m., an Army officer also died while clearing a house in Sta. Catalina (village). They were checking the rooms of every house in the area," Cabunoc said.
Government forces are still engaging the remaining MNLF rebels in the two villages in Zamboanga City, where around 20 civilians are being held hostage, Cabunoc added.
"Our troops are having a hard time in engaging these armed group since they are using these hostages as human shields. We should ensure first the safety of the hostages," he said.