After days of clashes between government troops and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels, Zamboanga City on Tuesday was witness to scenes of tearful reunions between hostages and their loved ones.
As the standoff between the MNLF fighters and government troops entered its ninth day, the military was able to secure least 151 hostages held by MNLF fighters.
The hostages, who had been used by MNLF fighters as "human shields," either escaped or were rescued by soldiers or freed.
The rebels, followers of MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari, laid siege to the city in an attempt to claim independence from the central government.
