Around 200 Muslim rebels battled government troops and raided villages along the Philippine's coastal communities on Sunday, taking 300 people hostage and leaving eight people dead, according to USA Today.
Military spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the fight began after troops formed a blockade to prevent Moro National Liberation Front guerillas, who were armed with assault rifles and grenade launchers, from marching into Zamboanga city and raising their flag at city hall.
"We cannot allow another armed force to march around our cities. That is unacceptable," he said.
Zagala said the Philippine military pushed the rebel group into Rio Hondo -- a Muslim coastal slum -- and are working to negotiate with the rebels.
According to Zamboanga Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco, gun battles killed a navy special forces member, a police officer, and four civilians and left 24 civilians, rebels, and soldiers wounded. The military reported at least two guerrillas were killed.
"Everything is being done to solve the crisis as soon as possible with minimal damage to lives and properties," Climaco said.
Reports from the military and police initially said only 20 people were being held hostage by the guerillas, but Zagala said that later on Monday the number increased to 290.
Alberto Sumalpong Jr, a village resident, said he and his family were woken up by the gun shots and left to stay in a safer area. He was able to go back and retrieve his belongings but mentioned others were not so lucky.
"Some villagers returned to check on their houses but ended up also being taken hostage," Sumalpong said.
The Mindanao region of the country has struggled with poverty and Muslim unrest for decades. The Moro group -- made up of the country's Muslim population -- signed a a peace accord with the government in 1996, but their fighters did not follow the agreement and held on to their weapons. They also accuse the government of not following through with their promise to develop an autonomous region for minority Muslims in the predominantly Catholic country.
