International: Philippine Army Cracks Down on Armed Rebel Forces

The Philippine army is cracking down on dozens of armed rebel forces who invaded southern Zamboanga last Monday.

According to BBC News, the army killed around 50 rebels who are believed to be part of the Muslim separatist group called the Moro National Liberation Front.

The army also captured over 40 other gunmen during the one-week operation.

The rebels were reported to have taken about 100 civilians hostage, most of who were freed.

More than 60,000 civilians in Zamboanga's districts have fled the area.

Nur Misuari, a guerrilla-turned-politician and founder of MNLF, is said to be the leader of the rebel forces.

Analysts believe Misuri is angry because his MNLF group has been sidelined in government peace talks.

Misuri's separatist movement aims at establishing an autonomous region for Muslims in the mainly Catholic Philippines.

Zamboanga is a city of about 800,000 located on the southwestern tip of Mindanao island.