Five more MNLF hostages escape amid heavy gunfire in Zambo City

Five hostages, two of them children, were able to escape Sunday from Moro National Liberation Front rebels holding them in Zamboanga City.

A report on "Balitanghali" said the five hostges were able to run to a waiting bus guarded by police personnel.

The five are now under the custody of Philippine National Police (PNP) in Zamboanga City, the report added.

Earlier, some hostages were either able to escape or were released amid hostilities between government forces and MNLF fighters in Zamboanga City.

Six hostages, including children, were released by the MNLF on September 10, a day after the rebels occupied some villages in the city.

On September 13, the rebels released Catholic priest Fr. Michael Ufana, but did not allow his father to walk free with him.

As the crisis in Zamboanga City entered its seventh day on Sunday, government troops have constricted further the Moro National Liberation Front rebels'  space of operation to three barangays in Zamboanga City.

In a phone interview on "News TV Live" Sunday morning, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said MNLF fighters are trapped in Barangays Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina, and Talon-Talon. — Rie Takumi /LBG, GMA News