Philippine rebels abduct police chief of southern Zamboanga city

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines - Philippine officials say the police chief of southern Zamboanga city has been abducted by Muslim rebels who have been holding scores of residents hostage in occupied coastal communities for the past nine days.

Officials say police Senior Superintendent Jose Chiquito Malayo was trying to convince some Moro National Liberation Front rebels to surrender after being cornered by army troops Tuesday in a mangrove village in Zamboanga when the gunmen grabbed him and held him at gunpoint.

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas says efforts are underway to rescue Malayo, who may have been taken to a nearby island.

The abduction complicates a government offensive launched Friday to end the standoff that began Sept. 8 when troops foiled a reported rebel plan to take control of Zamboanga, a major port city.