Philippines vows to save hostages as fighting rages on in siege city

Authorities in the Philippines have reached out to parties who may be able to talk with Muslim militants in a bid to secure the freedom of hostages in a southern city where a week of fighting has killed 129 people, officials said.

Troops have cleared almost 90% of Marawi, where the gunmen linked to the Islamic State terror group have been fending off government troops since a botched raid to capture a veteran rebel leader triggered a militant siege, said military spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla. He said militant leader Isnilon Hapilon is believed to still be in the city.