Four civilians have been killed in fighting in the southern Philippines, where a military assault on Muslim rebels holding 19 hostages entered the third day yesterday.
A senior official said troops had overrun hideouts of the Abu Sayyaf rebels on southern Jolo island but there was no sign of either the guerrillas or their hostages, who include six foreigners.
The Government has said it believes all the hostages, who include 13 Filipinos, three Malaysians, two French television journalists and an American, are alive. Residents said the rebels could have taken their captives into caves in surrounding hills.
That could mean the rescue operation could be protracted and prove costly for President Joseph Estrada, who ordered the assault after scathing criticism of his policy to negotiate with the guerrillas.
Philippine rebels run
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