ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 10, 2013) – Hundreds of villagers have been evacuated to safety late Tuesday in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines where fighting between government forces and Moro National Liberation Front rebels entered its second day.
Police said some 4,000 villagers have fled the village of Mampang that rebel forces have occupied and that government trucks have ferried them to the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex in San Jose village where thousands are already encamped since Monday.
Terrified villagers were picked up by government trucks in Mampang. Many were begging truck drivers not to leave them behind fearing they would be held hostage by rebels.
“We are looking to ferry all 4,000 people in Mampang tonight,” one police officer told the Mindanao Examiner.
Army soldiers, backed by armoured vehicles, also put up blockades in Mampang village to prevent rebels from getting near downtown Zamboanga where sporadic fighting continued on Tuesday. One army intelligence member said a group of rebels have escaped from the village before sundown, but there were more hiding in civilian neighborhood.
The fighting have forced all commercial establishments to close down in Zamboanga where Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar also imposed a 9-hour curfew beginning at 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. She said City Hall will resume its operations on Wednesday.
“City Government operations will resume tomorrow and heads of national agencies are also encouraged to evaluate the possibility of resumption of work tomorrow. Operation of banking institutions will be upon discretion of management in coordination with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” she said.
Salazar also urged business establishments to open on Wednesday.
“We urge business establishments to be opened starting tomorrow except those in affected areas which will be upon the discretion of the owners/operators. We likewise appeal to business establishments to ensure that prices of commodities remain stable. The buying public is also advised not to resort to panic buying but purchase provisions enough for the day to prevent shortage of supplies,” she said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
Residents also lighted candles late Tuesday in front if their houses with some offering prayers for the violence to stop. (Mindanao Examiner)
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