Troops surround Moro rebels on Jolo island

Around 300 gunmen from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have taken refuge in mountains near the town of Panamao on the southern island of Jolo after their camp was overrun by government forces on Thursday, according to General Agustin Dema-ala.

The general said more than 2,000 troops were closing in on the rebels and were setting up mortar and sniping positions around the gunmen. He said he expected his force to overrun the rebels "in a few days".