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". <br /><br />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.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Jamela Alindogan reports from Zamboanga.