(UPDATE) Death toll in Zamboanga crisis jumps to 62

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The death toll in the Zamboanga City crisis rose to 62, most of whom alleged members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) of Nur Misuari, the military said today.

Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs chief, said that of those killed, 51 came from the MNLF, five from civilians, and three each from the military and the police.

Injured people climbed to 112, which included 70 members of the AFP, 10 policemen, 23 civilians and nine rogue MNLF members.

Sixty-three armed rebels either surrendered or were captured during the eight-day stand-off, Zagala said.

The military have estimated that at least 183 civilians have remained on the hands of the armed group, he added.

The clash between government troops and the MNLF in Zamboanga City entered its eighth day as of today. Nearly 200 MNLF rebels took about 160 to 180 hostages in Zamboanga City last today after government troops prevented them from raising their flag at the city hall.

The MNLF used to be the largest Muslim rebel group seeking a separate state in Mindanao until it dropped secessionist demand and settled for limited autonomy under a signed agreement in 1996.

But many of its guerrillas held on to their firearms and periodically staged rebellions in the past.

MNLF's leader, Nur Misuari, opposed the crafting of a peace deal by the government with the currently dominant Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front.