Philippines Hostage Crisis

A government trooper takes his position during a standoff in the southern port city of Zamboanga, Philippines, Sept. 10, 2013.

A police sniper aims his rifle at the Muslim mosque with its minaret full of pockmarks during a standoff with Muslim rebels for the second day, Zamboanga, Philippines, Sept. 10, 2013.

Residents who abandoned their homes carry their belongings during a standoff in Zamboanga, Philippines, Sept. 10, 2013.

Soldiers check the belongings of residents who abandoned their homes during a standoff in Zamboanga, Philippines, Sept. 10, 2013.

Smoke rises from a neighborhood where Muslim rebels are holding scores of hostages as human shields in Zamboanga, Philippines, Sept. 10, 2013.