Zamboanga - Muslim gunmen freed 21 hostages early today out of more than 80 they seized following pitched battles with Philippine troops on the outskirts of a major southern city.
Assistant Interior Secretary, Mr Abraham Iribani, said he expected the estimated 60 other hostages still held by guerrillas of the Moro National Liberation Front would be released later yesterday. In exchange for freeing the hostages, the guerrillas would be allowed safe passage out of Zamboanga, the military said.
