Philippine government warns southern rebels

The Philippine government has warned Muslim rebels, who have been holding over 100 people hostage in the southern port city of Zamboanga, to end peacefully a four-day standoff "at the soonest possible time".

Edwin Lacierda, presidential spokesman, said on Thursday that any attempts by other groups to sow trouble would be crushed, citing the army's defeat of an armed group's attempt to set a nearby village and wharf on fire.

Al Jazeera's Jamela Alindogan reports from Zamboanga.