ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 18, 2013) – Some 226 civilians, who were earlier arrested by the military in Zamboanga City on suspicion they were rebels, had been finally freed and now security officials insisted all those villagers were actually rescued.
The civilians, who were on 11 motorized boats, were fleeing the fighting between security forces and Moro National Liberation Front rebels in the coastal village of Mampang on Tuesday when a navy patrol intercepted them.
The village chieftain of Tictabon, Nur Mohamad, managed to secretly phone a local radio network dxRZ Radyo Agong to say that they were arrested by the military.
Mohamad sought assistance saying they were being held against their will despite telling the military that he is a village official and that he was leading the evacuation of civilians away from the clashes between troops and rebels.
The media on Wednesday afternoon told the Crisis Management Committee headed by Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas – during a news conference – about the ordeal of the civilians and Mohamad in the hands of their military captors.
And later on the day, the Philippine Navy, in a statement sent to the media, said the civilians had been rescue at sea. It made no mention about Mohamad, who allegedly claimed he was tied by soldiers.
“Naval assets in the vicinity immediately conducted naval blockade and intercepted the said motor bancas. The passengers were then brought to BRP Bacolod City LC 550, a cargo vessel, for further questioning.”
“After thorough questioning, it was proven that passengers aboard the 11 motor bancas were residents of Barangay Tictabon, situated at Tictauan Island, who fled from Arena Blanco as a result of the firefight of government forces against the MNLF Misuari faction, evacuating the area of conflict,” the navy statement said.
It said among those rescued were 66 females and 115 children. “A total of 226 evacuees composed of 45 males, 66 females, and 115 children, were properly accommodated and fed aboard BRP Bacolod City LC 550. Subsequently, dry rations such as canned goods, noodles, and biscuits were immediately shipped to LC 550 from Headquarters Naval Forces Western Mindanao, which served as additional meals aside from the meals being given to them. They were also given appropriate medical assistance,” the statement said.
It said the navy also provided the civilians gasoline for their boat and were allowed to return to return home on Wednesday afternoon.
Rebels, who are fighting for a separate homeland, stormed several villages on September 9 and took over 180 people hostage and used them as shield against security forces. The fighting had already killed over 100 people and resulted in a humanitarian crisis in Zamboanga where some 100,000 people fled their homes due to the skirmishes.
The International Committee of the Red Cross together with the Philippine Red Cross also said on Wednesday that it is stepping up its response to the increasing numbers of people that are fleeing their homes amid ongoing clashes in Zamboanga. It said the violence is generating more humanitarian needs.
“A significant number of civilians have been injured or killed, while an unknown but substantial number of houses have been burnt. This is of clear concern for us and will make it all the harder for normal life to resume,” Pascal Mauchle, the head of the ICRC’s delegation in the Philippines, said in a separate statement to the Mindanao Examiner.
“We have reiterated, in our dialogue with both sides involved in the fighting, the obligation to take the necessary precautions to spare civilians and their property,” he said.
He said the ICRC and Philippine Red Cross personnel are working to ensure the people sheltering in the city stadium have access to drinking water, food, medical attention and other vital aid. He said household essentials, such as tarpaulins for protection against the elements, kitchen utensils, jerrycans and personal hygiene products were distributed to the evacuation areas and that hot meals are being prepared every day for people in the stadium.
“Throughout this emergency, Philippine Red Cross volunteers and staff have shown extraordinary levels of motivation and dedication to the people we are helping, even in the face of danger,” Mauchle said.
He said ICRC delegates also visited 49 people detained by the authorities in Zamboanga to monitor their treatment and conditions. “This is a very positive development, which reflects our longstanding role in the Philippines working with the detaining authorities to help ensure conditions are in keeping with international standards,” Mauchle said, adding they also registered detainees in order to follow up on their situation during future visits.
“We hope a positive settlement will soon be found to the situation in Zamboanga, to enable civilians to safely return to their homes and start rebuilding their lives. We stand ready to act as a neutral intermediary to resolve matters of humanitarian concern, if requested to do so. In the meantime, the ICRC remains committed to providing essential aid to people in need,” Mauchle said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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