9 people wounded in Philippine Zamboanga city blast

At least nine people, including five Red Cross volunteers, were injured on Friday after a grenade fired by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels exploded in southern Philippines. The victims were seeking cover from the concrete walls along with the rest of the media correspondents and soldiers when the rebels fired the rifle grenade that exploded. The attack came as the military's carrier tanks pounded the rebels' position. At least 19 rebels were also captured as the government forces tried to flush out the rebels who are using 100 civilian hostages as human shields. The military said the latest injured victims have brought the number of wounded to 45 people. The rebels also set on fire on residential blocks in the villages of Sta. Catalina and Sta. Barbara. The clash between government troops and the MNLF in Zamboanga City entered its fifth day as of Friday. Nearly 200 MNLF rebels took about 160 to 180 hostages in Zamboanga City Monday after government troops prevented them from raising their flag at the city hall. The MNLF used to be the largest Muslim rebel group seeking a separate state in Mindanao until it dropped secessionist demand and settled for limited autonomy under a signed agreement in 1996. But many of its guerillas held on to their firearms and periodically staged rebellions in the past, complaining the government has reneged on its promise to fully develop impoverished Muslim regions. MNLF's leader, Nur Misuari, opposed the crafting of a peace deal by the government with the currently dominant Muslim rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front.