MANILA, Philippines — Philippine police have filed rebellion and criminal complaints against 29 Muslim insurgents and commanders who allegedly occupied coastal communities in the south and took residents hostage in a siege that troops are still trying to quell.
State prosecutor Aristotle Reyes said Sunday the first group of Moro National Liberation Front rebels to face complaints included Habier Malik and three other commanders who remain at large and are reportedly still involved in a standoff with troops in Zamboanga city’s coastal outskirts. The other 25 to have complaints filed against them have been captured or have surrendered.
The military says troops have killed more than 100 rebels, while 117 others have been captured or surrendered since the standoff began September 9. Troops are still fighting about 40 rebels holding around 20 hostages.